[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] [ PFIR ] Gemini AI may already be enabled by default in your Gmail -- Google says it will share with law enforcement, etc. I DO NOT TRUST GOOGLE.

Sat Jan 17 10:32:00 PST 2026

Olga said:

“Though Google had our info since we started using their products, their
stated policy was to protect any information they had about us from
outsiders, including the govt.”

I’m not sure they were any different than other internet information
providers:  they all followed the requests of the government for
information about their clients activities if the government filed the
proper requests.

What might be different now is the superior ways AI programs can handle
such information in reasoning about its meaning, and the possibility of
commingling user’s data in their databases of “knowledge”.

I don’t see this as an intentional plan by Google to help the Government
spy on individuals.

Just to check,  I ran Olga’s statement through Perplexity asking it if her
statement in her most recent post was true.  I pasted the results below.

— Harry

Here is what perplexity said:

“The claim is not true. Google’s policy on protecting user data from
government requests, including requiring legal process and reviewing each
one, has not changed under the current Trump administration. Cooperation
remains limited to valid legal requests, as before.[google +2]

Policy Consistency
Google states it does not provide governments direct access or sell user
data, and it challenges overly broad requests regardless of the
administration. Recent transparency reports and policies confirm the
company reviews all requests to ensure legal compliance, narrowing or
objecting as needed. No evidence shows a shift to “happily cooperate”
without process.[google +3]

Recent Deals
Agreements like the 2025 GSA deal for Gemini AI tools involve government
procurement of services, not user data sharing from Gmail or Docs. These
are commercial contracts for federal use, separate from individual user
privacy policies.[foxbusiness +1]

Data Requests Process
For scenarios like mass deportations, Google would still require warrants,
subpoenas, or court orders per U.S. laws like ECPA, as outlined in their
handling policies. Historical practices show notifications to users when
possible and opposition to improper demands. Trump administration data
pushes target agencies like SNAP, not private companies like Google.

Harry Forsdick <http://www.forsdick.com/resume/>
Town Meeting Member Precinct 7 <http://lexingtontmma.org/>
harry at forsdick.com
<https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=harry@forsdick.com>
www.forsdick.com
  46 Burlington St.
Lexington, MA 02420 <https://goo.gl/xZXT2F>
(781) 799-6002 (mobile) <callto:17817996002>

On Sat, Jan 17, 2026 at 11:07 AM OLGA P GUTTAG via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
wrote:

> Though Google had our info since we started using their products, their
> stated policy was to protect any information they had about us from
> outsiders, including the govt. Now, as they happily cooperate with the
> current administration, if Trump decides to, say, deport all
> Chinese-Americans and needs to find some reason, getting all email/docs for
> these people from Google is pretty much guaranteed.
>
> So what is different now is Google’s change in how they protect our info.
>
> Olga
>
> On Jan 17, 2026, at 10:39 AM, Adam Broun <abroun at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Google has always had access to Gmail, Docs etc in order to sell
> advertising.  And they’ve always been good at searching/indexing it.  So
> what's different now?
>
>
>
> On Jan 17, 2026, at 09:47, Stan Rose via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:
>
> If it's Gemini you want to avoid, then you will have to stop using SIRI
> because Apple has announced they will partner will Google to use Gemini in
> Siri.
>
>
> https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/13/google-gemini-siri-capabilities-report/
>
>
> Stan
> stan_rose at alum.mit.edu
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 16, 2026 at 11:13 PM OLGA P GUTTAG via LCTG <
> lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:
>
>> Lauren has also advised users to stay away from Google docs, since that
>> is the next place they will start pushing Gemini. Sounds like moving
>> everything away from Google is in my near future - SIGH.
>>
>> Olga
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Jan 16, 2026, at 10:26 PM, Drew King 65 via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > I read about this last week. I've already gone into Gmail and turned
>> everything off but thanks for telling everybody. I was going to send out a
>> link that had instructions but your instructions are correct.
>> >
>> > I'm in the process of getting off gmail. I already have a new posting
>> company for my email I just need to move the last month's worth of mail
>> over to my new hosting company and update my DNS I plan on getting this
>> done before the end of the month.
>> >
>> > Bye bye Gmail for me.
>> >
>> > I'm also moving towards encrypting all of my inbound mail on the mail
>> server so even the new hosting company and Google can't read my mail .
>> >
>> > As far as Gemini is concerned I limit my use of it to questions
>> regarding Google products mostly android.
>> >
>> >
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