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[-] Dojan@pawb.social 84 points 1 month ago

What I hate most about this is the lack of control over this it implies. Sure, maybe you don’t install this on your device, but all that’s needed for Google to access your messages now is for someone you message to have it installed and enabled, then anything you send to them will be gobbled up by Google.

[-] sem 68 points 1 month ago

If the Gemini app is not installed, it can't do this right

[-] Maestro@fedia.io 42 points 1 month ago

Gemini was automatically installed for me, and the app connections were all enabled, like the article describes. Better check and be safe than to be sorry

[-] BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Same, but somehow there was a warning and a possibility to switch back to Google assistant instead, which I did

[-] rautapekoni@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 month ago

It keeps changing back to Gemini on its own for me even if I don't use the assistant at all.

[-] r00ty@kbin.life 24 points 1 month ago

This is my assumption too. It's disabled for me. I have no plans to change that.

[-] Warehouse@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 month ago

I don't even have a Gemini app installed in the first place.

[-] chellomere@lemmy.world 19 points 1 month ago

I'm rather confused. I don't have any app called Gemini installed, but despite this "Hey Google" brings up Gemini. So I have no app to disable, and no way to turn off interaction with other apps. This is on a Samsung A55 in Europe, happily taking advice on how to proceed.

[-] xep@fedia.io 9 points 1 month ago

My four year old low-end test device running Android had its assistant switched out from Google Assistant to Gemini. I was very surprised since I'd assumed that the vendor had stopped supporting it since it was so cheap, but it updated anyway.

[-] T156@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago

Google Play is separate from Android. Google likely updates it through that route, rather than relying on manufacturers.

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[-] FelixCress@lemmy.world 10 points 1 month ago

Exactly. It is an odd advice - disable something you had to install first just to disable?

[-] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 29 points 1 month ago

It installed itself as part of an update package.

[-] FelixCress@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Update of what? Android or something else?

[-] Clanket@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

It must be an Android update as that's all I ever do, and I never installed Gemini. I just checked and it was there, with permissions to access WhatsApp and multiple other apps. I just removed all the permissions and disabled the app. We'll see if any future updates turn it back on.

Shhhhhneeeeeky bastards.

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[-] atrielienz@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

In the case of my fully updated pixel 9 pro XL, Gemini was installed from the factory. I uninstalled it and installed Google Assistant. It has not re-installed itself for me, and further, I would recommend that if you don't use Gemini, you uninstall it.

This may change once the July patch hits but. As of right now it's not currently installed.

[-] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 month ago

In my case (Galaxy S21) I can only disable it, not uninstall.

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[-] carrylex@lemmy.world 42 points 1 month ago

Me on my de-googled phone:

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 month ago

Yeah, and it's presumptious of them to access the WhatsApp account I don't have...

[-] slowbyrne@lemmy.zip 38 points 1 month ago

For those on Pixel devices, check out GrapheneOS. If not CalyxOS or LineageOS

Its important that we have devices that we control. If your phone doesn't allow bootloader unlock so you can install a different operating system, that's a problem. Claims that security is compromised if bootloaders can be unlocked are just companies using a convenient excuse to maintain control over a device you paid for.

[-] Dreaming_Novaling@lemmy.zip 10 points 1 month ago

The whole reason GrapheneOS develops only for Pixels is that you can relock the bootloader though, right? (Along with other security features)

Anyway yeah companies still suck for not letting you relock them.

[-] slowbyrne@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 month ago

I don't believe that's a pixel specific benefit but yes relocking the bootloader is best for security. The unlocking process is needed to install an alternative OS though.

[-] Fiery@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 4 weeks ago

It's actually a whole list of requirements. https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices

[-] Buffalobuffalo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 weeks ago

Verizon branded pixels are unable to unlock the bootloader, I.e, mine. No amount of phone support will change this.

[-] renzev@lemmy.world 7 points 4 weeks ago

The reason they don't want you to unlock your bootloader is because of security....

...security of their revenue stream, that is.

[-] anytimesoon@feddit.uk 18 points 4 weeks ago

My gf got one of those emails, but she doesnt have the Gemini app installed on her phone. All of the instruction articles I can find only explain how to turn it off if you have the app.

Does not having the app mean that she's safe from this, or does it mean that she needs to download the app to disable the "feature"?

[-] pathief@lemmy.world 3 points 4 weeks ago

I also don't have a Gemini app but if you search for Gemini in the Settings main menu, it shows up.

[-] anytimesoon@feddit.uk 4 points 4 weeks ago

Thank you. We had actually already checked this but had not found Gemini in the settings.

Turns out typing "gem" in the settings search is not enough. Only typing "Gemini" returned a result.

[-] pathief@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

Sneaky, aren't they?

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[-] Ansis100@lemmy.world 16 points 1 month ago

Not that I support this, but hasn't Google Assistant been able to do that for years? Sending texts via the voice assistant has been, like, one of the main selling points.

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[-] salamandermander@lemmings.world 13 points 1 month ago

If I have the app disabled it probably can't do anything right?

[-] FartsWithAnAccent@fedia.io 10 points 1 month ago

Good thing I don't have that shit on my phone (at least until Google forces it)

[-] Stovetop@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago

The people you're messaging might, though.

[-] Nighed@feddit.uk 9 points 1 month ago

Is this a US only thing? I have no email and no Gemini app (although there are settings in system)

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[-] Mwa@thelemmy.club 7 points 1 month ago

Oh hell nah

[-] slowbyrne@lemmy.zip 6 points 4 weeks ago

Signal is also a great alternative to WhatsApp. Molly for the extra privacy focused.

[-] Professorozone@lemmy.world 4 points 4 weeks ago

I can't find Gemini on my phone.

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[-] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago

Hopefully unintalling and disabling is actually doing something. I feel like they are just tricking us and you can't really disable it.

[-] SlartyBartFast@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago

Kinda seems fucking stupid

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this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2025
450 points (100.0% liked)

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