Google Gemini to Learn from Your Conversations with Privacy Controls
As Google integrates Gemini further into its ecosystem, the way this AI tool accesses and processes your data is evolving. Google has announced major updates that allow Gemini to remember more details about your chats, aiming to enhance the quality of its responses. However, for those concerned about privacy, Google introduces a "temporary chat" mode that prevents these interactions from affecting Gemini's learning process.
A few months ago, Google introduced a "personalization" feature in the Gemini model, reliant on your Google search history. This feature underwhelmed users, leading to its removal. Now, a new "Personal Context" option is being released. By enabling it, Gemini will remember details from past discussions, adjusting its responses accordingly.
Google claims that this will result in more relevant recommendations from the chatbot. Unlike the previous saved instructions feature, this setting auto-adapts to gathered information, though it runs the risk of AI chatbots becoming overly familiar, which can potentially foster misperceptions.
The Personal Context feature will initially be available on the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, excluding regions like the European Union and Switzerland, and will only be accessible to users above 18 years. Google plans to roll out this feature to more areas and models later. Users can toggle this feature on or off from the settings menu.
Amidst Google's customization initiative for Gemini, users may hesitate in sharing information. Fortunately, Gemini provides a "Temporary Chats" feature, akin to Incognito Mode, offering enhanced privacy. This feature is rolling out, accessible via a dedicated button in the Gemini app's chat interface. Interactions in Temporary Chats are not saved in Personal Context, even when it’s active. However, these chats are stored on Google's servers temporarily—72 hours—to allow users to revisit them.
Even infrequent users of Gemini should be aware of the personalization push. From September 2, a portion of user chat content, including uploads, will be used to train Google's AI, as part of a broader initiative to enhance Google's services comprehensively.
To prevent your data from being utilized in AI models, you’ll need to opt out. Within weeks, Google will update its account privacy settings, altering "Gemini Apps Activity" to "Keep Activity," which can be disabled to restrict data usage in AI training. Ensure to review these settings soon, or consent to Google using your data for development.
