Google can now read your WhatsApp messages, here's how to stop it:
Google has released a feature that allows Gemini to access third-party apps ...
neowin.net/guides/google-can-now-read-your-whatsapp-messages-heres-how-to-stop-it/
Photo: neowin.net · view article
Google enables Gemini’s WhatsApp access despite activity being offSince July 7, Google says Gemini can use selected phone functions even with Apps Activity off; WhatsApp access can be disabled separately.
Key FactsJul 8, 2025 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: neowin.net
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: neowin.net
- Some Android users received an email stating that from July 7 Gemini could access Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities regardless of the Apps Activity setting.
- Google promises that Gemini normally cannot read or summarize WhatsApp messages, but with Google Assistant or the Utilities app it may view messages, images, and notifications and respond to notifications.
- Individual app extensions can be disabled under Profile and Apps in the Gemini app, while Apps Activity can be turned off under Profile and Gemini Apps Activity, with data potentially retained for up to 72 hours.
- Completely removing Gemini requires a laptop and ADB, but the article says Gemini remains tied to the Google app, whose deactivation removes Gemini while also disabling Google.
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News on this topic
Unless users take action, Android will let Gemini access third-party apps: Important changes to Android devices took effect starting Monday.
arstechnica.com/security/2025/07/unless-users-take-action-android-will-let-gemini-access-third-party-apps/
Your Android phone and watch are getting a major upgrade for free - Samsung models included
zdnet.com/article/your-android-phone-and-watch-are-getting-a-major-upgrade-for-free-samsung-models-included/
Samsung brings Google Gemini AI features to its foldables lineup
mashable.com/article/samsung-galaxy-unpacked-google-gemini-ai-features
More articles on this subject
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Ziff Davis Jul 09 25
Gemini AI Will Now Access Calls and Messages on Your Android Even If You Turn It Off
extremetech.com/mobile/gemini-ai-will-now-access-calls-and-messages-on-your-android-even-if-you
Android is letting Google's AI access WhatsApp, texts, and calls – unless you change your settings
techspot.com/news/108602-android-letting-google-ai-access-whatsapp-texts-calls.html
Gemini can access your Android phone's other apps, unless you stop it - here's how
zdnet.com/article/gemini-can-access-your-android-phones-other-apps-unless-you-stop-it-heres-how/
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Gemini for Home is finally learning that ‘stop’ means stop: Google Home's October update improves Gemini voice commands, fixes camera bugs ...
androidauthority.com/google-home-october-update-gemini-voice-commands-3723503/
Not ready to give up Google Assistant? There's apparently a way to bring it back: A new workaround reportedly lets Android users bring back Google Assistant even ...
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Google is gutting free Gemini features, now I have every reason to ditch it: Google just made it impossible to justify paying for Gemini
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I didn't expect to love this Gemini feature, but now I use it every day: I no longer rely on Circle to Search
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I replaced Gemini with a local AI model on my phone; battery drain was surprisingly low
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How to use Gemini on Android for automatically filling forms, navigating websites
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Fitbit Edge: New tracker from Google is said to have these features: Google is preparing the launch of a new fitness tracker, which is to be called the Fitbit ...
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Google just replaced Gemini Gems with Skills. Here’s how to use and master them: Gemini Skills let you run reusable instructions from any chat and stack them ...
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Google Unpacks Another Round of AI Features, Starting With Gemini On Wear OS: You can now use Gemini Live on the secondary, external screen of Samsung’s new ...
pcmag.com/news/google-unpacks-another-round-of-ai-features-starting-with-gemini-on-wear
Gemini blazes past the old Assistant with this useful setting change: Google also delivered an official statement about this feature that's meant to be ...
androidcentral.com/apps-software/ai/gemini-blazes-past-assistant-useful-android-app-setting-change-email
Key FactsGemini AI Gains Extensive Access to Android Apps
Jun 25, 2025 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: extremetech.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: extremetech.com
- From July 7, 2025, Gemini AI will access Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities on Android regardless of the apps activity setting.
- Google’s email lacks clarity on how Gemini will interact with these apps, raising significant privacy concerns.
- Users are reportedly able to disable these changes via app settings, but instructions are vague and incomplete.
- Data may be stored for up to 18 months or reviewed for three years depending on user preferences and activity status.
NotebookLM is my favorite AI tool, but wow, its Android version is bad!: NotebookLM is a genuinely useful AI tool from Google, but its recent Android app release ...
androidauthority.com/notebooklm-android-app-3560318/
Google’s bringing Gemini to your car with Android Auto: Google is bringing Gemini, its generative AI, to all cars that support Android Auto in the next few ...
techcrunch.com/2025/05/13/googles-bringing-gemini-to-your-car-with-android-auto/
Android Phones Are Getting A Major Gemini AI Upgrade And It's Free: New Gemini Live feature lets users have live conversations with the AI tool to discuss and ...
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People are using Google’s new AI model to remove watermarks from images: People appear to be using Google's new Gemini model to remove watermarks from ...
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Google Adds Gemini AI Assistant, Lock-Screen Updates to Samsung Galaxy S25: Android features unveiled at Samsung's Unpacked event narrow some of the gap between ...
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Updated Gemini app on iOS just ran laps around Apple Intelligence: The Gemini app on iOS devices brings access to the latest AI models, enhanced integrations ...
androidauthority.com/gemini-2-ios-update-3510366/
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Gemini Live will support more languages for its AI voice chat: Google is adding Gemini Live support for more languages including French, German, Portuguese ...
theverge.com/2024/10/3/24260561/gemini-live-language-support
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Key FactsGoogle Enhances Gemini Advanced with New AI Upgrade
Oct 3, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: techradar.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: techradar.com
- Google has quietly upgraded Gemini Advanced subscribers to version 1.5 Pro-002 of its LLM, which is faster and more powerful.
- The new version provides improved responses for math-related prompts and complex topics, making multi-step instruction processing more efficient.
- Gemini is available in four versions, with the Pro version being the highest performing for subscribers.
- The introduction of free voice modes for both Gemini Live and Microsoft Copilot intensifies competition in the AI landscape.
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