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Starting today, Gemini AI will access your WhatsApp and more. Learn how to disable it on Android. (tuta.com)

submitted 1 month ago by throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to c/privacy@programming.dev

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Gemini AI needs to be disabled on Android or it will override your privacy settings and gain full access to your texts, calls, and WhatsApp - even if you’ve turned off Gemini Apps Activity.

Google recently started notifying users via email that from July 7th, 2025, its AI model, Gemini, will assist apps on Android like WhatsApp, messages, and phone. Simply put, Gemini will get access to your apps even if you previously turned tracking for Gemini Apps Activity off. Soon the AI tool will be able to run tasks like send WhatsApp messages, set timers, and even make calls – regardless of whether you previously told Google’s Gemini not to track you. We take a look at how you can disable Gemini on Android from accessing your phone’s services, using your data for AI, and how to take back your privacy.

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[–] rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 30 points 1 month ago (3 children)

https://calyxos.org/

https://grapheneos.org/

Ditch Google, gain privacy.

[–] lazynooblet@lazysoci.al 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Any of these types of OS that support more than a handful of devices?

[–] throws_lemy@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Unfortunately no, I use a cheap xiaomi phone as a daily driver.

Yes, Xiaomi phones are the worst when it comes to privacy. Fortunately, it has communities and many custom roms. I just need to install the custom rom without installing gapps.

[–] raspberriesareyummy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Have you had any luck unlocking the bootloader without a windows computer to execute the xiaomi unlock tool on?

[–] throws_lemy@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

No, I never tried running it on Linux, I don't think it would work well with Wine. Because the unlocking tool requires access to USB port.

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 month ago

Thats why i have gone with cheap sony devices for lineage os. For Calyx and graphene the list is much shorter ofcourse, but those are all simple to unlock.

[–] defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

There used to be DivestOS, but that was shut down. There's a fork called AXP.OS, but I've never used it, and it seems stuck on Android 13 for now.

https://axpos.org/

I wouldn't personally recommend it until it's more vetted.

[–] defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

And convince all our friends who we message to switch too?

[–] rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Nah, you can still use SMS or WhatsApp or whatever you're currently using. I use the SMS app QUIK because no one would use Signal with me.

[–] defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I use Signal with all of my friends, but that's not my point. My point is that if my friends don't disable Gemini (which they probably won't), then the messages I send to them are no longer private.

[–] rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago

Oh, I see.

First world problems, I suppose. SMS is just wide open and I only send shit that's OK wide open.

[–] somerandomperson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 weeks ago

Sadly i'm fucked because custom ROMS exist for all s23 models except the s23 fe (wwwhhhhhhHHHHHYYYYYYYYY). I'm experiencing physical pain.