If you’re an Android user or planning to get an Android-powered device, here’s something you should know and probably be worried about if your privacy is paramount to everything else you do.
Google’s powerful AI assistant, Gemini, just got a major update, and it’s raising eyebrows. Announced in an email sent out to Android users earlier this month, the update officially rolled out on June 7, 2025, allowing Gemini to access apps like WhatsApp, Phone, Messages, and even Utility apps—even if you never gave it explicit permission to do so in the past. While this change sounds like a cool feature that could make your digital life easier, privacy experts and users alike are warning that it’s also quietly an intruder.
The Google AI assistant is designed to help with everyday tasks: it can summarize your emails, help write documents, and even search through your files or browser to offer intelligent suggestions. With this update, Gemini is trying to become your digital best friend, working in the background across your entire phone. But here’s the catch: the assistant can now silently peek into your messages, calls, and more unless you take the time to adjust your settings manually. Even worse, the email Google sent out didn’t clearly explain how users can stop this from happening.
If you’ve already installed Gemini, you can limit what it sees, but it takes some effort. Here’s what you can do to limit its access:
- Open the app, tap the profile icon in the top-right corner,
- Go to the “Apps” section, and manually uncheck apps like WhatsApp and Messages.
- You should also switch off “Gemini Apps Activity” to prevent it from storing your usage data.
However, note that even with this setting off, Gemini can still retain your data for up to 72 hours. If you want to go a step further, you can disable the app entirely through your phone’s settings. For tech-savvy users, there’s even the option to completely uninstall Gemini using tools like Android Debug Bridge (ADB), though that requires some advanced knowledge.
However, there’s also some good news for those who haven’t installed the Gemini app before. If you’ve never downloaded the Gemini app, this update doesn’t apply to you—yet. But with Google’s clear push to integrate AI into every corner of your phone, from Gmail and Docs to Chrome and Drive, it’s only a matter of time before Gemini or something like it becomes a default part of your Android experience. And just like Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Copilot, Gemini is expected to become more deeply embedded in how we use technology daily.
In the face of these changes, it’s more important than ever to stay aware of what permissions you’re giving out. If you’re serious about privacy, you might even want to explore alternative operating systems like LineageOS, GrapheneOS, or /e/OS, which are designed to minimize data collection and tracking.
While Gemini’s new powers might offer convenience, they also come with a cost—your privacy. Make sure you understand what you’re signing up for and take control of your phone before Gemini starts doing more than you bargained for.
