Google Faces Lawsuit Over Gemini AI Data Collection

Google is facing a significant legal battle in the United States after a class-action lawsuit accused the company of enabling its Gemini AI assistant across core communication platforms  Gmail, Google Chat, and Google Meet —without obtaining proper user consent. The lawsuit, filed in a San Jose federal court , argues that the October update allowed Gemini to access sensitive user data by default.

Key Allegations

• According to the complaint, Google previously allowed users to decide whether or not to use its AI features. However, the latest update allegedly activated Gemini automatically, giving the system access to emails, attachments, chat messages, and video-call transcripts . The plaintiffs argue that this constitutes unauthorized tracking and misuse of private data.

Issues of Consent and Transparency

• A central claim is that Google failed to secure explicit consent before turning on Gemini. Although users can disable the feature, the option is reportedly hidden deep within the company’s privacy settings. This design, according to the lawsuit, makes it unlikely that the average user is aware their communication history is being processed unless they actively search for the setting.

Privacy and Regulatory Implications

• The complaint raises broader concerns about privacy safeguards, noting that Gemini may access “the entire recorded history” of user communications stored in Gmail. This has intensified debates around how AI is integrated into everyday digital services and the risks associated with default data processing. Legal experts say the case could influence future U.S. and global regulations on AI-enabled data collection , consent standards, and privacy controls.

Industry Reactions

• The lawsuit has sparked fresh scrutiny of major tech firms. Analysts argue that while AI assistants are increasingly built into communication tools, companies must maintain transparent opt-in mechanisms and ensure user autonomy. The ruling in this case may shape how technology providers design their AI consent frameworks moving forward.

Exam Key Points

• Case filed in San Jose federal court

• Gemini allegedly enabled by default across Gmail, Chat, Meet

• Users must navigate privacy dashboard to disable it

• Complaint claims access to emails, attachments, chat histories