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Google can now read your WhatsApp messages

(www.neowin.net)
469 points bundie | 6 comments | 08 Jul 25 16:11 UTC | HN request time: 0.973s | source | bottom
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jmclnx ◴[08 Jul 25 16:52 UTC] No.44501775[source]▶
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.

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1. IncreasePosts ◴[08 Jul 25 17:05 UTC] No.44501912[source]▶
Don't use Gemini then, it seems pretty simple
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2. jazzyjackson ◴[08 Jul 25 17:12 UTC] No.44501972[source]▶
One doesn't even need to have a google account at all if one doesn't want to do business with them
3. ◴[08 Jul 25 17:13 UTC] No.44501986[source]▶
4. pkilgore ◴[08 Jul 25 17:18 UTC] No.44502031[source]▶
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.

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5. IncreasePosts ◴[08 Jul 25 18:06 UTC] No.44502488[source]▶
That's if you used Gemini with this feature. And if you haven't...?
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6. pkilgore ◴[10 Jul 25 15:24 UTC] No.44522062{3}[source]▶
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".