If you are using Google Gemini for work, personal projects, or anything you would not want shared publicly, you need to understand what it is doing with your data by default - and how to change it.
What Gemini Collects by Default
When "Keep Activity" is on (the default for most personal Google accounts), Google uses your activity to provide, develop, and improve its services, including training generative AI models. This includes:
- Your prompts and Gemini's responses
- Audio from Gemini Live interactions
- Feedback you submit
- Info from websites you visit with Gemini
- Product usage and location info
A subset of chats are reviewed by human reviewers to help improve Google services, and reviewed chats are retained for up to three years. For many personal Google accounts outside the European Economic Area, this setting is enabled by default - meaning a sample of content, including emails and attachments, may be used to improve Google services unless you disable it.
How to Turn Off AI Training (Step by Step)
The setting you are looking for is called "Keep Activity" (formerly "Gemini Apps Activity").
On Desktop:
- Go to gemini.google.com
- Click the Menu icon (top left)
- Select Settings and Help, then Activity
- Toggle Keep Activity OFF
- Optionally choose "Turn off and delete activity" to wipe existing history
On Mobile (Android or iPhone):
- Open the Gemini app
- Tap your profile picture (top right)
- Select Gemini Apps Activity (or Keep Activity)
- Toggle it OFF
Bonus step for maximum privacy: Review and revoke app permissions in your device settings. On Android, long-press the Google app, tap App Info, then Permissions, and adjust access for location, microphone, contacts, and other sensitive data. You can also use the toggle switches in Gemini's Connected Apps settings to disconnect Gemini from Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive files, or third-party services like WhatsApp.
What You Lose When You Turn This Off
Be aware of the trade-offs. Disabling Gemini Apps Activity maximizes your privacy, but:
- Gemini will no longer personalize responses based on your history
- You will not be able to reference previous chats
- Some integrations and features may be limited
In short: you lose persistent memory across sessions and personalization. Gemini essentially resets every conversation.
How to Keep Session Memory and Protect Privacy at the Same Time
Here are your practical options:
- Use Gemini Advanced with a Workspace account: Google Workspace accounts have stronger data protection policies by default. Customer data is not used to train Google's AI models unless you explicitly opt in through admin settings.
- Start each session with a context brief: Paste in a short summary of your project, goals, and preferences at the start of each conversation. This gives Gemini enough context to be useful without relying on stored history.
- Use separate browser profiles: Create a dedicated browser profile for Gemini work. This limits cross-contamination with your personal Google activity.
- Review connected apps regularly: Periodically check which third-party apps have Gemini integration enabled and remove any you no longer use.
The Bottom Line for Business Users
If you are using a personal Gmail account to run business conversations through Gemini, your data is likely being used to train AI models right now. The fix takes under two minutes. Do it today.
For businesses that want a structured approach to AI privacy and data governance, BlueShore.AI's business training workshops cover these topics in depth - including how to write an AI usage policy for your team.