Google can now read your WhatsApp messages

If you do not like this, file a complaint with your State's AG. I just did that.

I do not use WhatsApp, but I have other apps I do not want google to see.

Not every state(, country, province, region, whatever) has laws that restrict or prohibit this kind of activity. A complaint to a public prosecutor may not be a good option for many people, especially in the US which historically has had very permissive laws about how corporations can handle user data (with some exceptions like the CCPA, though TBD if that legislation would do much here).

Don't use Gemini then, it seems pretty simple

One doesn't even need to have a google account at all if one doesn't want to do business with them

As the article states, "After turning it off, Google will still retain your data for up to 72 hours to "maintain safety and security of Gemini Apps" and allow Gemini to respond contextually.""

Which means, AFAICT, it doesn't matter if you turn it off or not, Google still collects information and stores it for 72 hours as part of the core functionality of the operating system.

That's if you used Gemini with this feature. And if you haven't...?

I think we are reading separate implications from the same statement.

I (and others, and Google has not disabused anyone of this when asked), understand that to mean "Gemini always has access to a sliding 72 hour window of all your data, even if this feature is off".

You think it means: "Once you turn it off, Gemini has access for another 72 hours then it has no access".

The later is less alarming for sure, but the former appears what is actually happening.

Previously "off" meant "off". Now "off" means "only send/retain data for 72 hours".