Gemini AI Will Now Access Calls and Messages on Your Android Even If You Turn It Off

Google has started rolling out an update that gives its Gemini AI engine access to interact with third-party apps on Android devices, such as WhatsApp, Messages, and Phone. However, this change also affects users who had set their devices to block it, raising questions about privacy and user control.
According to an email sent to Android users, Gemini will be able to access these apps whether Gemini Apps Activity is on or off. The email also says that human reviewers, including service providers, may read, annotate, and process data accessed by Gemini, and that data may be stored for up to 72 hours.
The message does not seem to give clear instructions for users who want to prevent these changes or fully disable Gemini’s integration. Support pages linked in the email often refer users to additional resources, which many have found unclear or incomplete, as reported by Ars Technica.
Some users have reported confusion after trying to follow Google’s guidance and finding it difficult to figure out whether Gemini is completely disabled on their devices.
Experts say that disabling Gemini app activity may prevent data collection beyond the temporary 72-hour storage period. Users can also try to uninstall Gemini using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), but this method is technical. And the worst part is, for many, Gemini is now a core part of the Google app and cannot be uninstalled, at least not easily.
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