Unless Users Take Action, Android Will Let Gemini Access Third-Party Apps (arstechnica.com)
- Reference: 0178310598
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/07/08/1255232/unless-users-take-action-android-will-let-gemini-access-third-party-apps
- Source link: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/07/unless-users-take-action-android-will-let-gemini-access-third-party-apps/
> Users who don't want their previous settings to be overridden may have to take action. An email Google sent recently informing users of the change linked to a notification page that said that "human reviewers (including service providers) read, annotate, and process" the data Gemini accesses.
>
> The email provides no useful guidance for preventing the changes from taking effect. The email said users can block the apps that Gemini interacts with, but even in those cases, data is stored for 72 hours. The email never explains how users can fully extricate Gemini from their Android devices and seems to contradict itself on how or whether this is even possible.
[1] https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/07/unless-users-take-action-android-will-let-gemini-access-third-party-apps/
Re: (Score:3)
> Shirley the authors don't have any advice on how to disable this thing?
It doesn't look like they do... and don't call me Shirley.
Possible instructions for disabling it (Score:3)
This popped up in my Mastodon feed (making it slightly more trustworthy than if it had in an X or Bluesky or Threads post, but still, take it with a pinch of salt):
[1]https://tuta.com/blog/how-to-d... [tuta.com]
I haven't had a chance to check whether this works yet because I don't have a phone that's been infected yet, but presumably will do soon.
[1] https://tuta.com/blog/how-to-disable-gemini-on-android
Re: (Score:2)
I checked and it seems I had already disabled Gemini. I can't remember having done so but will presumably have done it as soon as I knew what it was - normal Luddite behaviour for me.
better to ask forgiveness (Score:2)
i guess? having access to your data has never been more profitable than it is today; you can see all this as them ripping a band-aid off.
it's a good thing they removed Don't Be Evil from their maxims.
Gemini is far more transparent on this vs ChatGPT (Score:2)
The controls you have over your personal data in ChatGPT are far, far, *FAR* less than Google gives you with Gemini.
With Gemini, I can browse through all of the records, see whats there, choose what to delete. I can't do any of this with ChatGPT, it is a total black box.
Re: (Score:2)
That's good to hear!
Now, how do I rip out Gemini, or ensure it's never installed?
Re: (Score:2)
I just went to Settings > Apps > Gemini and clicked uninstall. I don't know if that uninstalls all the attendant services or just the UI though.
Re: (Score:2)
Thanks. It doesn't appear in my Apps list, so I probably took it out via the ADB interaction. However, I don't like seeing it in the list of possible "Digital Assistants" if it's been uninstalled.
Re: Gemini is far more transparent on this vs Chat (Score:2)
You need to also uninstall Google Assistant if you want it removed from the list, as Gemini is integrated into it as an option.
Re: (Score:2)
Use a de-googled ROM.
That requires you to choose a compatible device to begin with.
Re: Gemini is far more transparent on this vs Chat (Score:2)
Right now, Gemini is optional, and if you dont install it (or uninstall it) you dont have it.
Also, you can just not use the thing. It's not like its required. Samsung phones have privacy oriented on-device AI for some tasks even.
Re: (Score:2)
Oblig. Dr. Ian Malcolm: "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
Re: (Score:3)
While I totally agree on your use of a custom ROM, I don't think it is the engineers who are to blame. Their bosses more likely force them to add this crap.
Re: (Score:2)
> This is one of several reasons I prefer GrapheneOS. I think some engineers are more concerned with "How do I accomplish this?" vs "Should I do this?"
Mod up.
Re: (Score:1)
The problem with GrapheneOS is you need a Google phone to be able to use it. I'm sorry but I'm not funding the very company I'm trying to reduce the information it's collecting on me.
Unfair (Score:2)
Privacy implications aside, if they allow it for Gemini they have to allow it for everyone else or that's some monopoly level shit.
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (Score:2)
```
(2) intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access, and thereby obtains-- ...
(C) information from any protected computer;
```
Opt-out isn't legal here.
Re: (Score:2)
I'm sure the authorization is buried somewhere deep in the Android EULA. Google's lawyers aren't stupid.
Re: (Score:2)
EULA or not, it's still against the law in Europe. But Google will continue to ignore it, and when they get slapped with a fine they'll complain to the king who will threaten European countries with more tariffs until they acquiesce, just like he did to Canada.
Do as I say, not as I do. (Score:2)
Imagine if a 3rd party app developer tried to do this. That would be rejected in a nanosecond.
why does Apple get a pass? (Score:2)
Isn't Apple Intelligence already doing this?
Re: (Score:2)
yes, but google bad apple good
CPPA/CPRA? (Score:2)
It's been a few years since my data privacy class, but isn't this a violation of CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and CPRA (California Privacy Rights Act - aka Prop 24)? I believe they both require easy access to opt-out.
Except in EU (Score:2)
This will probably not fly in the EU thanks to the RGPD, so they'll have to ask for permission first.
alternate Android (Score:2)
In this generation I chose battery life over an unlockable bootloader. I got it, my cheap old phone still gets five days' battery life. But now Google is shoving stuff into the OS that I don't want, so I'm going to have to look at another phone.
As apple is doing the same thing, even if I didn't despise them already that would not be an option. I also want apps, so nothing else is an option. Guess my next phone has to have an unlockable bootloader so I can install an alternate Android.
Sounds like a malicious attack to me (Score:4, Informative)
Sure, Google may not see it that way, but look at the potential for data theft, sabotage, etc. here: It is an attackers wet dream. And nobody so far has managed to make any widely deployed relatively new system really secure.
Re: (Score:3)
That's how I read it. I see my policy of having nothing on the phone other than phone and messaging remains correct. I will do no banking or business on the device. No browsing, no maps, no connection to the car should I take it with me which I seldom do.
It will remain a phone, period.
Re: (Score:2)
> That's how I read it. I see my policy of having nothing on the phone other than phone and messaging remains correct. I will do no banking or business on the device. No browsing, no maps, no connection to the car should I take it with me which I seldom do.
> It will remain a phone, period.
Your policy sounds a bit extreme. However, it's starting to look like I'm not paranoid enough.