Software
Google will shortly let you opt out of Gmail's data-hungry smart features
Google is introducing a new alternative to make users opt out of using their Gmail, Speak, and Meet data to deliver smart features such as Smart Compose and Smart Respond, the company announced today. Although you have previously been able to turn these individual functions on and off the latest toggle disables the background data processing that makes it possible. Google says the latest alternative is going to roll out in the coming weeks.
According to the photos posted on Google's site, Gmail users will be shown two dialog boxes displaying the processing of the results. The first concerns the smart features provided within Gmail, including automated email filtering/categorizations, Smart Compose, overview cards seen above and extract event information to construct calendar entries. Google claims users would not be able to use these features if they opt out of the data mining that makes them possible.
Meanwhile the second dialog helps users to opt out of using their Gmail, Speak, and Meet data powered by other Google products such as the Assistant (which can show bill alerts when they're due), Maps (which can display restaurant reservations), and GPay Loyalty Cards and Tickets. If you plan to turn them off, they can be allowed again in Gmail settings, Google says.
Google states that in addition to the current settings, a new setting will be offered to allow or disable each of these functions individually. However, consumers will not be granted granular power over data processing behind individual features, according to Google The Verge, meaning that you cannot opt out of data processing for Smart Compose while continuing to use summary cards. This is because all of the functions are driven by the same data the company says.
