On July 7, 2025, Google activated automatic access for its Gemini app to essential Android functions, including phone, messaging, WhatsApp, and system utilities, following a privacy policy update on June 11, 2025. This controversial move impacts millions of global Android users, requiring them to manually disable these permissions through the app settings. Legal concerns have arisen, particularly from European advocates regarding GDPR compliance and user consent. The expanded data collection aims to enhance AI capabilities for competition with other digital assistants while generating user behavior data for machine learning and advertising. Despite Google’s claims of protecting privacy by disconnecting conversations from user accounts before review, the lack of explicit user consent and ease in opting out has drawn significant criticism. The changes highlight tensions between advancing AI technology and upholding user privacy rights amidst increasing regulatory scrutiny over big tech data practices. Marketing teams should reassess data handling in light of these developments.
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