5 easy Gemini settings tweaks to protect your privacy from AI

If you’re an Android user, you are familiar with Gemini, as it has replaced Google Assistant as the default.

Although Gemini is a powerful and helpful tool, some worry that it invades their privacy. If you use the default settings, that concern is not too far from the truth. If you happen to share that mindset, I have five tips to help you maximize your privacy when using Gemini on your Android device.

Also: How to use Gemini’s Deep Research to browse the web faster and better

Fortunately, these tips aren’t challenging, so anyone can use them.

Are you ready? Let’s get private.

1. Disable the Workspaces extension

The second Gemini became my default assistant on Android, this was the first change I made. Why? I don’t want Google to use my work to train its LLMs. And even if Google claims they don’t currently do that, who’s to say they won’t in the future? Or maybe I just don’t want Gemini to have access to my manuscripts, scripts, and other creative works. 

Also: How to add Gemini access to your Chrome browser

That’s why I disabled the Workspaces extension in Gemini. By disabling this extension, Gemini cannot access my Google Drive account. To do this, open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture in the upper right corner, and tap Extensions. Near the top of that page, you’ll see the Google Workspace extension, which is enabled by default. Tap the On/Off slider until it’s in the Off position, then back out of Settings, secure in the knowledge that Gemini can no longer access your files in Drive.

2. Disable the Device Control extension

If you have a smart home (with smart devices), you might want to consider disabling the Device Control extension. Doing this ensures that Gemini on your Android phone cannot “mistakenly” switch on a mic or camera with one of your smart devices. I’m not saying Google would do this, but should your phone become compromised, malicious software could access those devices via Gemini, enable the mic or camera, and spy on you. 

Also: Gemini’s new extension brings back your favorite Google Assistant features on Android

Again, I’m not saying it would happen, but it could. Because of that, I leave this extension disabled.

3. Disable Gemini AI training

Did you know that Google regularly reviews Gemini chats and uses the data to train chatbots? Yeah… not a big fan of that. Although it’s not an automatic process, Google employees sometimes read Gemini chats to find ways to improve responses. Fortunately, it’s possible to disable that “feature.” 

Also: 5 ways college students can use Gemini AI to keep up with school work

To do so, open Gemini, tap your profile picture, and tap Gemini Apps Activity. In the resulting page, tap the Gemini Apps Activity drop-down and select Turn Off. Google collects this information for two reasons: to improve the AI chatbot’s performance and provide personalized service. The information collected can include device information, app usage data, conversations with Gemini, location data, and cookies.

4. Disable personal results

If you’re really concerned about Gemini invading your privacy, you can disable the “Personal results” feature. This feature gives Gemini access to your Google apps so it can offer suggestions specific to you. Some might consider that a serious invasion of privacy, while others might think it’s the best way to use Gemini. If you fall into the former category, here’s how to disable it. 

Also: 7 Gemini Live tips and tricks

Open Gemini and tap your profile pic in the upper right corner. Tap Settings and then tap “Google Assistant features in Gemini.” On the resulting page, tap the On/Off slider for “Use Google Assistant features” until it’s in the Off position. Now, Gemini cannot access your Google apps and the data within them.

5. Don’t discuss sensitive topics

This isn’t so much a tweak to the app as it is a tweak to how you use Gemini. I highly recommend that you never discuss sensitive topics with Gemini when you’re in public locations. 

Also: Perplexity is the AI tool Gemini wishes it could be

Such topics can include politics, religion, personal relationships, passwords, trip itineraries, finances and bank information, and home security or location.