Gemini was able to tell technology writer Ruben Circelli who his first crush was in elementary school as well as one of his character flaws.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/_next\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2F04%2Fid5924568-2025-10-02T215632Z_1_LYNXNPEL910Z0_RTROPTP_4_USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-GOOGLE-1080x720.jpg&w=1200&q=75\")
The Google logo on the Google house at a trade show in Las Vegas on Jan. 10, 2024. Steve Marcus\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBy Lear Zhou<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SAN JOSE, Calif.\u2014Google LLC is accused in a civil lawsuit of using its artificial intelligence program Gemini to collect data on users\u2019 private communications in Gmail as well as Google\u2019s instant messaging and video conference programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until around Oct. 10, the Gemini AI assistant required the user to deliberately opt into its feature. After that date, the feature was allegedly \u201csecretly\u201d turned on by Google for all its users\u2019 Gmail, Chat, and Meet accounts by default, enabling AI to track its users\u2019 private data in those platforms \u201cwithout the users\u2019 knowledge or consent,\u201d according to the complaint filed Nov. 11 in federal court in San Jose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that Google is violating the California Invasion of Privacy Act, a 1967 law that prohibits surreptitious wiretapping and recording of confidential communications without the consent of all parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Google provides a way for users to turn off the feature, it requires users to look for it in the privacy settings to deactivate it, despite never having agreed to it in the first place, the complaint said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The AI feature is categorized in \u201cGoogle Workspace smart features\u201d in Google settings. Once turned on, it means the user consents to the program using \u201cWorkspace content and activity\u201d across Workspace or in other Google products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the feature is turned on, Gemini can \u201cscan, read, and analyze every email (and email attachment), message, and conversation on those services,\u201d according to the complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technology writer Ruben Circelli wrote in a PCMag article<\/a> that Gemini is \u201cdownright creepy\u201d in diving deep into his personal history, analyzing 16 years\u2019 worth of emails after he signed up for a more advanced pro feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn a series of tests by Circelli, Gemini told him one of his character flaws and even knew who his first crush was in elementary school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis invasion of privacy wasn\u2019t just disconcerting, though; it was unexpected,\u201d Circelli wrote. \u201cGoogle didn\u2019t explain what this integration would do before I signed up for its AI Pro plan, nor did it give me a way to opt out at the start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Epoch Times reached out to Google for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe do not use your Workspace data to train or improve the underlying generative AI and large language models that power Gemini, Search, and other systems outside of Workspace without permission,\u201d the company has stated<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThomas Thele, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, stated in the complaint that he suspected his private information, such as medical records, employment records, religious and political affiliations and activities, and more has already been exposed to Gemini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe data from these communications enables Google to cross-reference and conduct unlimited analysis toward unmerited, improper, and monetizable insights into users\u2019 private lives, including their social, professional, and other relationships,\u201d the court file states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Lear Zhou<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SAN JOSE, Calif.\u2014Google LLC is accused in a civil lawsuit of using its artificial intelligence program Gemini to collect data on users\u2019 private communications in Gmail as well as Google\u2019s instant messaging and video conference programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until around Oct. 10, the Gemini AI assistant required the user to deliberately opt into its feature. After that date, the feature was allegedly \u201csecretly\u201d turned on by Google for all its users\u2019 Gmail, Chat, and Meet accounts by default, enabling AI to track its users\u2019 private data in those platforms \u201cwithout the users\u2019 knowledge or consent,\u201d according to the complaint filed Nov. 11 in federal court in San Jose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that Google is violating the California Invasion of Privacy Act, a 1967 law that prohibits surreptitious wiretapping and recording of confidential communications without the consent of all parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Google provides a way for users to turn off the feature, it requires users to look for it in the privacy settings to deactivate it, despite never having agreed to it in the first place, the complaint said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The AI feature is categorized in \u201cGoogle Workspace smart features\u201d in Google settings. Once turned on, it means the user consents to the program using \u201cWorkspace content and activity\u201d across Workspace or in other Google products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the feature is turned on, Gemini can \u201cscan, read, and analyze every email (and email attachment), message, and conversation on those services,\u201d according to the complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technology writer Ruben Circelli wrote in a PCMag article<\/a> that Gemini is \u201cdownright creepy\u201d in diving deep into his personal history, analyzing 16 years\u2019 worth of emails after he signed up for a more advanced pro feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a series of tests by Circelli, Gemini told him one of his character flaws and even knew who his first crush was in elementary school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis invasion of privacy wasn\u2019t just disconcerting, though; it was unexpected,\u201d Circelli wrote. \u201cGoogle didn\u2019t explain what this integration would do before I signed up for its AI Pro plan, nor did it give me a way to opt out at the start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Epoch Times reached out to Google for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe do not use your Workspace data to train or improve the underlying generative AI and large language models that power Gemini, Search, and other systems outside of Workspace without permission,\u201d the company has stated<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thomas Thele, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, stated in the complaint that he suspected his private information, such as medical records, employment records, religious and political affiliations and activities, and more has already been exposed to Gemini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe data from these communications enables Google to cross-reference and conduct unlimited analysis toward unmerited, improper, and monetizable insights into users\u2019 private lives, including their social, professional, and other relationships,\u201d the court file states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n