[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.

Mon Jan 19 12:39:47 PST 2026

For those concerned about sending messages through Gmail or Yahoo and
fearful that the provider is reading your messages, there is a way to send
encrypted messages from your computer using an app called FlowCrypt that
Drew King mentioned in an earlier email. We can discuss and even
demonstrate this at an upcoming potpourri if there is interest.
FYI, the use of FlowCrypt is free.
-steve

On Mon, Jan 19, 2026 at 10:44 AM arnold peterson via LCTG <
lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:

> I agree with Robert Prinac , there is nothing new about our loss of
> privacy on the internet. It started when the fbi started using software
> like carnivore to detect packets being transmitted over the internet. I was
> always warned about not using email for anything i wanted to be private.
> So, I use portals to deal with health, finances and a phone to deal with
> personal issues. I remember this starting to happen in the early 90's.
> Carnivore has been replaced and is available online, other more
> sophisticated software is now used. What is missing is the larger amount of
> data that is picked up by security cameras. There is a Swiss org called
> Edgelands i believe that has n]benn looking into this for a few years and
> will stop on 12/26. I may still be getting a monthly newsletter, can't
> remember them all. Info overload. ernie.
>
> On Mon, Jan 19, 2026 at 12:29 PM Michael Alexander via LCTG <
> lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:
>
>> 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.
>>
>> — If that is true: up until now.
>>      – Mike
>>         Alexander
>>
>>
>>
>> On Monday, January 19, 2026, 11:39 AM, Robert Primak via LCTG <
>> lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:
>>
>> No. Google has never said they would not comply with legitimate requests
>> from law enforcement. And they have always reported any serious threats to
>> other users or to the public to law enforcement. This new policy is really
>> nothing new in that regard.
>>
>> Does anyone in this thread have any hard evidence that Google is doing
>> anything improper with user data? If not, maybe we should not tempt Google
>> to initiate legal actions against us for saying things we cannot support.
>>
>> I thought LCTG was supposed to be a non-political technology user group.
>>
>> -- Bob Primak
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:07:38 AM EST, 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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