Google May Soon Let Gemini Interact With WhatsApp, Phone App on Android Even If Feature Is Disabled

Google might have sent an email to some Android users on Tuesday highlighting that soon, the Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) assistant will interact with several on-device apps, whether the feature is turned on or not. Several users have shared screenshots of these emails on social media posts, where the Mountain View-based tech giant has highlighted that this change will be automatically rolled out starting July 7. The language of the email has also caused confusion, as the company has mentioned users can turn off the feature, but has not shared how to do so.

Several Netizens Claim to Have Received the Email From Google

Tipster CID shared screenshots of the email on X (formerly known as Twitter), revealing Google's planned changes post July 7. Several other users have also shared screenshots of these emails on social media posts and forums, which were first spotted by Android Authority. Notably, Gadgets 360 staff members have not received any such email.

Screenshots of the email which is claimed to be sent by Google's Gemini team
Photo Credit: X/@starshinescal

As per the posts, the email is titled, “We've made it easier for Gemini to interact with your device.” It goes on to explain that the company is updating how its AI assistant for Android devices interacts with some of the apps. These include the Phone app, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities.

The concerning part of the email mentions that Gemini will be able to interact with these apps “whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.” Gemini Apps is the rebranded name for extensions that allow the AI assistant to perform some tasks on some first-party and third-party apps. So far, users have been able to visit the Apps settings in Gemini to toggle on and off the apps they want to connect with the chatbot.

Google's phrasing makes it appear that users will not have a choice in whether Gemini can collect data from these apps or not, raising privacy concerns. While Google Assistant could also do the same, the risk with AI models accessing the data is that it is unclear how the data may be processed, stored, and later used by the company.

Later in the email, the company does go on to say that if users do not want to use these features, they can turn them off in the Apps settings page. This part is confusing for two reasons. First, it directly contradicts what Google said in the previous paragraph, and second, the company did not share how users can turn the feature off.

As mentioned above, currently, the only way to disable access to these apps is by visiting the Apps page inside the Gemini app. However, the company has mentioned that the feature will work irrespective of this.

There is a possibility that this email was sent only to beta testers who might receive new ways to disable these interaction capabilities with the July 7 update, but we cannot confirm this due to a lack of information. The tech giant has not made any official announcement regarding the same.