Privacy

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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

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Google Gemini is about to control your messages and calls, even if you say no (www.laptopmag.com)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 49 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Interestingly, the same mentioned article from Android Police sells it as a "privacy win". I've tried to read it as a positive spin, and I seriously don't understand what these guys have been smoking.

https://www.androidpolice.com/upcoming-gemini-for-android-change-privacy-settings/

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 days ago

I completely agree, I guess what they call "privacy win" is that this feature can now work without storing data on Google (highlighted by me):

Based on Google's email, it seems the company will allow Gemini to access messages, WhatsApp, and control device system settings without requiring that you enable the Gemini Apps Activity setting for your account. This setting saves your Gemini history to your Google account, potentially allowing for better personalization.

Previously, if you had this setting disabled for your Google account, you weren't able to use the Messages, Phone, Utilities, or WhatsApp extensions in Gemini (via 9to5Google). Once this change rolls out to your account, you will be able to access these features without having to save your Gemini history on Google's servers.

When they say

potentially allowing for better personalization

they sound like the companies trying to sell you these features without mentioning the privacy implications of said features. :/

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

In a glass half full perspective, it won't send all your data to Google's servers. The part they are not saying is that the data even remotely related to your query is going to be sent to Google anyway. They are claiming they will delete the data after 72 hours, which I believe they will for now, but knowing them, there's probably going to be a sneaky policy update in a couple of years.