Since October 2025, Google has enabled its AI system, Gemini, to scan Gmail, Chat, and Meet messages by default for all users. This shift from an opt-in to an opt-out model means the AI processes your emails, attachments, and sensitive documents without explicit consent.

The scanning supports features like Smart Reply, Smart Compose, and automatic sorting, but it also raises privacy concerns. Data processed by Gemini can remain in activity history for months, and anonymized snippets may be reviewed by humans to improve the AI.

How to Fully Disable Google AI Scanning on Gmail

Stopping the AI’s access requires adjusting multiple settings across platforms. Follow these five steps to protect your inbox:

  • Step 1: Disable the Main Smart Features Switch on Desktop
    Open Gmail on your computer, go to Settings (gear icon > See all settings), then under the General tab, find Smart features and personalization and uncheck Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet.
  • Step 2: Turn Off Google Workspace Smart Features
    Still in the General settings, locate Google Workspace smart features and personalization, click Manage Workspace smart feature settings, and uncheck all boxes before saving.
  • Step 3: Disable Personalization on the Gmail Mobile App
    In the Gmail app, access Settings > your account > Data privacy (or Data and personalization), then turn off Personalization Settings to prevent mobile scanning.
  • Step 4: Delete Existing Gemini Activity Data
    Visit myactivity.google.com/product/gemini, toggle off Gemini Apps Activity, then delete all stored data to erase past scanned content.
  • Step 5: Use Encrypted Email Services for Sensitive Mail
    For highly confidential information like banking or medical documents, consider moving emails to encrypted platforms such as Proton Mail for stronger privacy.

Considerations When Disabling AI Features

Turning off these smart features means losing conveniences such as predictive text, automatic email categorization, inbox summary cards, and Google Assistant reminders based on your emails. Many users find this trade-off worthwhile to keep their private data from being scanned by AI.