How to protect your Gmail privacy from AI scanning

Artificial intelligence powers many of Gmail's features, including Smart Compose, Smart Reply and personalised recommendations. These features may process your emails, attachments and messages to provide a more tailored experience. If you'd rather limit how your Gmail data is used for personalisation, Google allows you to disable these smart features through your account settings.

Here's a step-by-step guide to enhance your Gmail privacy.

Open Gmail settings

Sign in to your Gmail account on your computer and click the Settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner.

Click "See all settings"

From the Quick Settings panel, select "See all settings" to access Gmail's complete settings menu.

Turn off Gmail smart features

Under the General tab, locate "Smart features and personalisation".

Uncheck the option if you don't want Gmail to use your email content to provide personalised features such as Smart Compose, Smart Reply, package tracking and reminders.

Find Google Workspace smart features

On the same page, look for "Smart features and personalisation in other Google products".

This setting controls how Gmail data is used across services such as Google Workspace.

Open Workspace settings

Click "Manage Workspace smart features and personalisation" to review additional privacy controls.

Disable all Workspace smart features

Uncheck both available options to prevent Gmail data from being used for personalisation across other Google products and services.

Save your changes when prompted.

Repeat the process on your phone

These settings may not automatically sync between desktop and mobile devices.

Open the Gmail app on your Android phone or iPhone, navigate to Settings, select your account and verify that Smart Features and personalisation settings are also disabled there.