The tech companies Google and Apple are at the center of a growing privacy debate due to the incorporation of advanced artificial intelligence features in their devices. The lack of clear controls for users regarding the access of these tools to applications is a cause for concern, especially after recent events related to WhatsApp on Android and iPhone systems. These events have revealed potential risks of exposure of conversations that users wish to keep private.
Investigations into Google Gemini and Apple Intelligence, often supplemented by Siri, have highlighted the need for clear answers about the collection and use of data. When composing messages, the data are accessible to the companies, which store temporary copies on their servers. The lack of rigorous documentation and adequate protections has sown confusion among users, who, when delving into documents, find few concrete answers about privacy policies.
To protect their communications, users can take specific measures. On Android, it's crucial to review the Google Gemini settings. Disabling the application's activity and controlling access by other applications are essential steps. Depending on the phone model, it is also possible to remove the Gemini app and opt for Google Assistant. On Apple devices, disabling the 'Use with Siri requests' option may prevent Siri from sending messages through secure messaging apps like WhatsApp. It is also viable to completely deactivate Apple Intelligence.
The handling of notifications is another area of concern. On Android, granting notification access allows Gemini to access its contents, which raises concerns about the handling of sensitive data. Apple, for its part, states that processing is performed on the device whenever possible, showing a seemingly clearer approach.
The pressure on both companies to improve privacy documentation and implement user-friendly permission controls is increasing. The introduction of artificial intelligence features that could compromise the privacy and security of personal communications makes this need urgent.
