Cyber news, tools & one smart career path.
5 min read
Quick Reality Check
Google is beginning to roll out new AI-powered features inside Gmail that use its Gemini model to help summarize emails, draft messages, and surface what it thinks matters most in your inbox.
What happened:
Google is integrating AI tools into the inbox so it can generate summaries of long email threads, provide suggestions and draft replies, and highlight key action items based on the content of your messages.
In order to get these features, Google's Gemini AI must scan and analyze the content of your entire Gmail inbox. This gives them the ability to scan sensitive documents or any files you send online. So if you're using Gmail or Google Workspace, your data may already be included by default.
Why it matters:
While letting AI scan your messages is incredibly convenient for summaries and sorting, it means it's "reading" your most sensitive conversations to make those decisions. Even if the data isn't used for training, remember: any information AI processes is still stored data.
That means it could potentially be accessed by the provider or surfaced through legal requests like search warrants. Convenience is great, but privacy is a choice. Make sure you're okay with the eyes on your inbox.
Read more here
60-Second Protection Fix
To get this turned off, you need to opt out in two different areas:
On desktop:
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Settings → General→ Smart Features→ Turn off smart features
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Settings → General→ Google Workspace Smart Features → Manage Smart Features
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Toggle off both features
On mobile
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Go to the Gmail app, then: Settings→ Data Privacy→ Toggle off Smart Features and Google Workspace Smart Features
What You Missed This Week
Big news! My new short-form podcast, Cyber Confessions, is officially live. Check out our first three episodes on any platform where you get your podcasts. Click the image or listen/watch here
Think you’re too smart to get hacked? Think again!
Must-Have Tool:
Over Google? Send private files without AI interruption or leftover copies.
OneSpace works differently. It sends files device to device. Think AirDrop and WeTransfer combined, but built specifically for private, confidential, sensitive, or personal files.
Most file transfer services claim to be secure, but they all share one flaw. Your documents still pass through their servers, which means scanning, storage, and copies you cannot control.
OneSpace eliminates that risk by creating a direct connection between devices, so your files never touch third-party servers at all.
Check them out today.
Check Out Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) (aka “the Rulekeepers”)
When platforms like Google roll out AI that scans your inbox, GRC and Data Governance professionals are the ones behind the scenes, setting the boundaries. They analyze the risks and design the rules for what data can be used and what must stay private.
If you want to be the person who ensures “convenience” doesn´t come at the cost of compliance, this is your path.
Learn more about GRC in my Free Intro Course: Cyber Paths 101
Let’s keep building together!
Stay protected,
Cybersecurity Girl
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