The advancement of artificial intelligence has brought with it new tools and assistants capable of transforming the way we use our devices, especially on Android. One of the most recent protagonists is Gemini, Google's AI assistant, which has gradually replaced the legendary Google Assistant. But along with these advanced features, doubts and concerns also emerge about the Settings privacy and control of personal data that we share with AI.
Nowadays, thousands of users are wondering what the Key privacy settings to check in Gemini for Android, what information AI actually collects, how Google uses it, and, most importantly, how they can protect your digital privacy. If you've ever felt like you don't have full control over what Gemini can see, save, or do with your conversations and data, this article will serve as a practical guide to addressing all those concerns in a clear, detailed, and straightforward manner.
What is Google Gemini and why should you pay attention to its privacy settings?
Gemini Gemini is Google's new intelligent assistant for Android, designed to bring generative artificial intelligence to everyday life. Unlike its predecessor, Gemini not only answers questions and executes voice commands, but can also analyze images, text, and manage complex tasks by integrating with multiple Google apps and services.
This deep integration means that Gemini can access very sensitive information stored on your phone.: from emails and documents to your personal messages, call history, and even control over smart home devices. As a result, properly adjusting your privacy settings is essential to maintaining control over your personal data and deciding how much access you give this AI.
What personal data does Gemini collect on Android?
When you use Gemini, especially with the default settings, Google records multiple types of data:
- Conversations and voice recordings (including through features like “Hey Google” or Voice Match).
- Information shared with Gemini, such as images, files, screenshots, and content from other apps.
- Product usage data, frequency of interaction, feedback, and comments you provide.
- Information about connected apps (Gmail, Drive, Calendar, etc.) and their usage context.
- General location data collected through IP, saved addresses, or device location.
- System permissions such as access to contacts, call logs, messages, installed apps, language preferences, and on-screen content.
This data may be used by Google to improve the performance of Gemini, personalize your responses, and also to train their artificial intelligence models, often through manual review by humans, although this process seeks to anonymize the information before it is reviewed.
Top Gemini privacy settings you should check on Android
To protect your privacy and prevent unnecessary information collection, it's a good idea to review and modify certain settings within the Gemini app. Below are the most important privacy settings to consider, how to access them, and why you should enable or disable them.
1. Disable activity and training data collection
The option "Activity in Gemini apps" It's one of the key privacy pointsWhen enabled, Google stores the history of your interactions with Gemini, including conversations and completed tasks. Additionally, it may use human-reviewed excerpts of these conversations to improve its AI systems. If you want to prevent your chats from being used for this purpose, follow these steps:
- Open the Gemini app on your Android.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Sign in Activity in Gemini apps.
- Select “Turn off” or “Turn off and delete activity” to delete both future and past conversations (except those you have manually reviewed).
Remember: Even if activity is disabled, Google may retain copies of your chats for up to 72 hours to ensure service and process feedback. However, this data will not be used to train the AI, as long as the settings are correctly adjusted.
2. Limit access to extensions and connected applications
Gemini can be integrated with services such as Google workspace (Drive, Docs, Calendar) or control smart devices at home (lights, cameras, thermostats, etc.). Although it may be convenient, it can also be a risk to your privacy if AI accesses critical documents or personal devices without your express consent.
To restrict this access:
- Sign in Gemini and click on your profile picture.
- Choose "Extensions".
- Disable the extension Google workspace if you don't want AI to see your personal files and documents.
- If you use smart devices at home, also disable the “Device Control".
3. Restrict personalized results and access to other Google apps
One of the most striking features in Gemini is its ability to customize responses by accessing other apps in your Google account such as Gmail, Maps, Calendar or PhotosIf you don't want the AI ​​to read your emails, events, or routes, you can disable these options from:
- Open the Gemini app.
- Tap your profile picture and go to “Configuration".
- Go to "Google Assistant Features in Gemini” or “Google Assistant Options in Gemini”.
- Deactivate the optionUse Google Assistant features".
4. Manage permissions to applications and system services
A recent change in Gemini's policy has sparked debate: starting with certain updates, AI will be able to access apps like Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and system services even if Gemini Activity is disabledAccording to Google, this access is only granted when the user specifically requests an action, such as sending a message or making a call, but it's important to know and monitor these permissions.
To review and adjust permissions:
- Access the Gemini app on your Android.
- Click on the profile picture to open the user menu.
- Go into "Applications”. Here you can decide which apps Gemini has access to and disable any you don't want to share with the AI.
5. Be cautious with the topics discussed and the data you share
Beyond the technical options, Your behavior and common sense are essential to safeguard your informationEven if you change your privacy settings, the best protection is to avoid sharing extremely sensitive information with Gemini, such as:
- Bank details or financial details.
- Passwords, access codes or security questions.
- Personal addresses or private locations.
- Political or religious opinions or any topic considered sensitive.
Google's own policies recommend that you never share information you wouldn't want an outside human to see, as some data, although anonymized, may be manually reviewed for service improvement purposes.
What happens to previously collected or reviewed data?
If you choose to delete activity on Gemini, it is important to know that Conversations that have already been manually reviewed will be stored anonymously for up to three years.All other data, including unreviewed data, can be deleted by selecting the appropriate option in the app's settings.
Deletion primarily affects records associated with your account, but it doesn't delete conversations that have been used to improve models, provided they've been anonymized and processed by human reviewers. For this reason, it's advisable to act as soon as possible if you're concerned about the exposure of your data.
How to disable Gemini or change your privacy settings if you're not happy with it
Some users prefer to forgo the smart assistant if they believe the risks outweigh the benefits. Disabling or limiting Gemini's functionality is possible from both the Android app and the web:
- From the Gemini app, tap on your profile and go to “Configuration".
- Look for the option to disable Gemini or switch to an alternative assistant, if the system allows it.
- Check the privacy settings in “Activity in Gemini apps” and disable them as explained above.
- Delete any saved conversations or history if necessary to minimize your digital footprint.
Keep in mind that if you only disable activity without deleting it, the data already collected may still be stored temporarily. The "Disable and delete activity" option is the most effective for more thorough deletion.
What you should know about the collaboration between Gemini and Google Assistant
Gemini and the older Google Assistant may share certain features and settings, meaning that Changing the permissions of one may affect the experience of the otherFor example, if you have Voice Match or "Hey Google" detection enabled, you can inadvertently activate Gemini or Assistant. Additionally, records of recent Assistant actions can be imported into Gemini in certain regions and settings.
For maximum control, review the integration options in both apps' settings and decide which one you want to keep active, adjusting data access permissions based on your preferences and privacy needs.
Additional security settings for developers using the Gemini API
If you are a developer and you use the Gemini API, you can adjust security settings to restrict or allow certain types of content, protecting your end users:
- Choose filter categories, such as harassment, hate speech, sexually explicit content, dangerous content, and civic integrity.
- Define the blocking level (high, medium, low, or none) based on the likelihood that the content is problematic.
- Remember that certain protections are unalterable, especially to safeguard child safety.
These measures will allow you to tailor the experience to different audiences and minimize the risks associated with using AI.
Gemini's new policy alert: Beware of default access to key apps
A controversial aspect in the most recent updates is that, Starting July 7, 2025, Gemini accesses key Android device services by default. (such as Phone, Messages, or WhatsApp), even when the activity is disabled. Google states that this access only occurs when the user directly requests it (for example, by asking them to send a message), but it is not permanent background access.
However, users can disable each permission individually from Gemini's settings, preventing the AI ​​from accessing certain services if they don't want it to. Pay attention to emails and notifications sent by Google explaining these changes, as they may contain important information for adjusting your permissions and settings.
Correctly configure the Gemini privacy settings on Android allows you to take advantage of the benefits of artificial intelligence without giving up control over your personal data. Taking a few minutes to review these options and adopting responsible habits will help you protect your privacy and that of those around you. Share the information so that other users know about the topic.