Starting September 2, Google will update its data policy for Gemini, its AI chatbot. This change will allow the company to use your interactions—including file uploads and chat prompts—to train and improve its artificial intelligence systems.
While this might sound like a way to make Gemini more intelligent and helpful, it also introduces concerns about privacy. If you’ve ever used Gemini to ask sensitive questions, you may wonder if those conversations should really be part of AI training. Fortunately, Google has provided a way to opt out.
Why Google Wants Your Data
Artificial intelligence models learn best from real-world examples. Public data alone can’t always capture the variety of ways people ask questions or express themselves. By studying chats and uploads, Gemini can refine its understanding of human language and deliver more accurate responses.
In short, your chats help the AI learn. But for some, the trade-off between smarter AI and personal privacy feels uneasy—especially when health, finance, or personal topics are involved.
What Exactly Will Be Collected?
Google calls this setting Gemini Apps Activity. Once the update rolls out, it will appear as Keep activity. When enabled, this feature records your chats, file uploads, and prompts. That means anything you type or share with Gemini could be stored for AI improvement.
The company emphasizes that the data isn’t directly linked to your personal account. Still, the option to opt out exists for those who’d rather not share their conversations at all.
How to Turn Off Gemini Activity on Desktop
If you’d prefer to stop sharing your interactions, here’s the process:
- Go to Gemini.Google.com and sign in.
- From the left-hand menu, click Settings and help.
- Under Activity, find Gemini apps activity (or Keep activity after September 2).
- Toggle it off to stop saving your chats and uploads.
- You can also delete your past records if you want them removed from Google’s servers.
Even after disabling it, Google temporarily holds the last 72 hours of your activity before deleting it permanently.
How to Disable It on Mobile
The steps are similar on the Gemini app:
- Open the Gemini app and tap your profile icon.
- Go to Gemini apps activity.
- Switch it off to prevent future training.
- Delete past data if you don’t want your history stored.
Remember, if you use multiple Google accounts, you’ll need to repeat the steps on each one.
The Bigger Picture: Privacy vs Progress
This update reflects a larger dilemma in the world of artificial intelligence. On one side, companies like Google need massive amounts of real data to create smarter, more reliable AI. On the other, users worry about privacy and how their information might be used.
By offering an opt-out choice, Google is trying to strike a balance. Whether you choose to keep activity on or off depends on your comfort level with sharing data for AI development.