[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 11:25:37 PST 2026

Harry,

I guess I (and Lauren) are watching the actions of ICE which require warrants signed by a  judge but such warrants seem to often be missing. Based on this behavior by DOJ, I find it easy to believe that in near future govt’s access to individual digital content will be also made available by Google under the same lack of such requisite warrants. 

As you correctly point out, AI makes it possible to go though vast amounts of data, searching for “offending” keywords and phrases (see the changes to the many govt. websites and published reports). This is why Google’s push to access all of our data using Gemini is worrisome to me. 

Unfortunately, the past laws and rules seem to have little effect on the current behavior of DOJ and other federal agencies. Each of us can decide what to do with the information on how to disable assorted AI agents in our apps. The purpose of my post was to let people know that there still is an option to disable such agents. The decision to do so is up to each individual.

Have a great weekend,
Olga

> On Jan 17, 2026, at 1:32 PM, Harry Forsdick <forsdick at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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 <http://www.forsdick.com/>
>  	46 Burlington St.
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> 
> 
> 
> On Sat, Jan 17, 2026 at 11:07 AM OLGA P GUTTAG via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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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