Did Gmail Change Without You Noticing? Here Is How to Turn It Off

Published by Mae, Digital Skills Coach | Ess Click Computer Lessons and IT Support for Seniors and Adult Beginners, Perth WA

If you use Gmail to manage your emails, something has quietly changed in your inbox. And chances are, nobody asked your permission.

Google has been rolling out a new artificial intelligence feature called Gemini into Gmail. It is being switched on automatically for most users, which means it may already be active in your account right now without you realising it.

This article explains what Gemini is, what it does inside your emails, and how to turn it off if you would prefer to keep your inbox private. As always, no jargon, no rushing. Just clear, practical information so you can make your own choice.

What is Gemini and what is it doing in my emails?

Gemini is Google's artificial intelligence assistant, similar in concept to the voice assistants you may have heard of, like Siri on an iPhone or Alexa on an Amazon device. Google has now built Gemini directly into Gmail.

Once active, Gemini can read the contents of your emails and use that information to do things like:

• Suggest replies for you to send

• Summarise long emails into shorter points

• Create a suggested to-do list based on what is in your inbox

• Help you write or rewrite emails using an AI writing tool

On the surface, some of these features might sound helpful. But there is an important question worth asking: do you want an AI system reading through everything in your inbox?

For most of my students in Perth, the answer, once they understand what is happening, is no.

Why should I be concerned?

Your email inbox is one of the most personal places on your device. It contains messages from family, receipts from online purchases, correspondence with your doctor, bank notifications, and much more. It is, in many ways, a record of your private life.

When an AI system reads through your emails, that information is being processed by software owned and operated by a large technology company. While Google states it does not use your emails to train its AI, the company has not always been straightforward about privacy in the past.

There are a few specific concerns worth being aware of.

Your data may be used for advertising. Google is primarily an advertising business. The more it knows about you, the more precisely it can target you with ads. Information gathered from your inbox, even indirectly, contributes to the detailed profile Google builds on every user.

Your information can be shared with other services. If Gemini connects to other apps or add-ons on your account, your email content can be processed under the privacy rules of those other companies, not just Google's.

Features can change over time. What Gemini does today may not be the same as what it does in a year. Once you have agreed to an AI reading your emails, it is difficult to fully understand the long-term implications.

None of this means that Google is doing anything illegal. But it does mean that something significant is happening inside your inbox, and you deserve to know about it and have the choice to opt out.

How to turn off Gemini in Gmail on your phone

If you use Gmail on a smartphone or tablet, here are the steps to turn off these AI features.

Take your time with each step, and do not worry if it takes a moment to find the right screen.

Step 1. Open the Gmail app on your phone or tablet.

Step 2. Tap the three lines in the top left corner of the screen to open the menu, then scroll down and tap Settings.

Step 3. Tap on your Gmail email address.

Step 4. Look for an option called Smart Features and uncheck or turn it off.

Step 5. Next, look for Google Workspace Smart Features and turn off both options listed there: Smart Features in Google Workspace and Smart Features in Other Google Products.

Step 6. If you have more than one Gmail account on your phone, repeat these steps for each account.

If you find any of these steps confusing, or if the screen looks different to what you expected, please do not guess. Write down where you got up to and bring it to your next lesson. We can go through it together on your own device, which is always the easiest way to learn something new.

What happens if I turn it off?

Turning off these AI features means Gemini will no longer have access to your inbox. Your emails stay in your account as they always have, but they are no longer being read and processed by Google's AI system.

There is one small catch worth knowing about. Turning off smart features also disables a few older, simpler tools like automatic spell checking. This is Google's way of making it less appealing to opt out. It is a little frustrating, but for most people the trade-off is worthwhile.

You will not lose any of your emails, contacts, or anything else in your account. Everything stays exactly as it was.

What if I actually like some of these features?

That is completely valid. Some people find the suggested replies or the email summaries genuinely useful, especially if they receive a lot of messages and find it hard to keep up.

If that is you, there is no pressure to turn everything off. The important thing is that you know the features are there and understand what they involve, so the choice is yours rather than Google's.

This is something we can talk through in a lesson if you would like help deciding what is right for your situation.

A general note on AI in everyday technology

Artificial intelligence is being added to more and more of the apps and devices we use every day. This is happening quickly, and it is not always obvious when it is occurring. Many people in Perth, particularly those who did not grow up with technology, find this understandably unsettling.

You are not alone in feeling that way. And you are right to ask questions.

The best thing you can do is stay informed, which is exactly what you are doing by reading this. Technology should work for you and on your terms. If something does not feel right, there is almost always a way to turn it off or adjust it. You just need to know where to look.

Need help with your Gmail settings?

If you would like to go through your Gmail settings together, check what features are currently active on your account, or simply get a better understanding of how your email works, I am here to help.

I offer one-on-one computer lessons and IT support across Perth, WA, tailored to your pace and your needs. Whether you would like a single session to sort out a specific concern or ongoing lessons to build your confidence with technology, we can work out whatever suits you best.

[Get in touch with Ess Click]

No jargon. No judgment. Just friendly, practical help from someone who genuinely has your best interests at heart.

Found this article useful? Please share it with a friend or family member who uses Gmail. It only takes a moment and could make a real difference to their privacy.

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About the author Mae is the founder of Ess Click, a Perth-based computer lessons and IT support service for seniors and adult beginners. With a patient, tailored approach and a genuine commitment to keeping students informed and safe online, she provides one-on-one and small group lessons across Perth WA at whatever pace suits you best.