Google has pushed back against widespread claims circulating on social media and in articles, including one by Malwarebytes, suggesting that the company changed its policy to use users’ Gmail messages and attachments to train its AI models. The reports claim the only way to opt out is by turning off so-called “smart features,” but Google says these claims are misleading. Jenny Thomson, a Google spokesperson, told The Verge that “these reports are misleading – we have not changed anyone’s settings, Gmail Smart Features have existed for many years, and we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.” Gmail’s Smart Features—including spell checking, smart replies, and the ability to automatically extract flight details or track packages—have been part of the service for years. While these features rely on AI to enhance user experience, Google emphasizes that they do not involve using the content of your emails to train its AI models. Users can manage these settings through their Google Account. In January, Google updated its personalization controls to allow users to independently disable Smart Features for Google Workspace (used by businesses) and for other Google services like Maps and Wallet. This update gives users more granular control over how their data is used across different products. According to the settings page, enabling Smart Features in Workspace means users agree to let Google Workspace use their content and activity to personalize their experience. However, Google clarifies that this does not equate to sharing email content for AI training purposes. Despite these explanations, some users have reported being automatically re-enrolled in Smart Features even after opting out. One Verge staff member noted they had disabled the features but found them reactivated without their knowledge. Google maintains that no changes have been made to its AI training practices and that user data remains protected under existing privacy policies. The company continues to emphasize transparency and control, urging users to review their settings to ensure their preferences are properly reflected.