Google has recently announced a new milestone in the evolution of its AI assistant, Gemini. Starting July 7, 2025, Gemini will be able to interact directly with communication apps like WhatsApp and the Phone app — including sending messages and making calls on users' behalf — even when activity tracking is turned off.
Gemini Breaks Through Privacy Barriers
Previously, features like sending messages or making calls through Gemini required that "Gemini App Activity" be enabled. This setting allowed the assistant to store and use data to improve performance. However, with the upcoming update, users will be able to access these features without enabling activity tracking, raising growing concerns about data privacy.
Mixed Reactions from Users
The announcement has sparked a wave of reactions, especially in the U.S., where Google has started emailing users to inform them of the change. Many have voiced concerns about whether their messages and calls might be used to train AI models or stored in ways that don’t align with their expectations around privacy.
In response, Google clarified that conversations made while "App Activity" is turned off will not be used for model training. Moreover, they won’t be stored for more than 72 hours — a temporary window meant strictly for service delivery and ensuring system reliability.
Europe Not Included… For Now
While this feature is rolling out in select markets, it's unlikely to reach European users in the near future. That's due to strict regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which impose rigorous standards on how tech companies handle personal data.
User Control Over Privacy
Google also emphasized that users retain full control over these new features. They can disable Gemini’s access to apps like WhatsApp and the Phone app through straightforward privacy settings, accessible at: gemini.google.com/apps
Summary: What’s Changing?
* Key Feature: Gemini will be able to send messages and make calls via apps like WhatsApp — even if activity tracking is off.
* Rollout Date: Starting July 7, 2025.
* Privacy Concerns: Users worry about data use; Google assures data won’t be used for training and won’t be stored long-term.
* Europe: Not part of the rollout for now due to regulatory constraints.
It remains to be seen how users will respond to this shift, especially as privacy continues to play a crucial role in how people relate to smart technology.
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