Quote:Google has rolled out an update for Android that gives Gemini access to your Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities data without your explicit consent. Here’s a detailed guide on how to disable these permissions.
 
On July 7, 2025, Google rolled out a Gemini update that gives its AI-powered assistant access to Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities data on Android devices.

The company announced this update via an email to the users of its chatbot — essentially presenting them with a fait accompli. “We’ve made it easier for Gemini to interact with your device”, the email read. “Gemini will soon be able to help you use Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off”.



According to Google, the update improves privacy because users can now use Gemini’s features without having to enable Gemini Apps Activity. Pretty convenient, right?

The update applies regardless of whether the Gemini Apps Activity feature is enabled or not. Google pushed the update to all Android versions that support Gemini, starting with Android 10. So, although the company warned users, it clearly failed to ask for their explicit consent. Google has already practiced subtle coercion to use its features before: just a month ago, Gemini was integrated into the Gmail client without any warning.

The email itself contained neither clear instructions for how to disable the new features, nor detailed explanations as to what exactly Gemini would do with the collected data. Users received the email just two weeks before the update was launched.

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