A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Google, accusing the tech giant of secretly activating its Gemini AI across Gmail, Chat, and Meet in October 2025, without user consent. The lawsuit contends that Google disabled the traditional opt-in process, enabling Gemini to access and analyze users’ private communications—emails, attachments, chats, and video transcripts—behind the scenes.
The complaint, filed in San Jose federal court, asserts that this covert activation violates the California Invasion of Privacy Act of 1967, which prohibits unauthorized interception of confidential communications. While users can technically disable Gemini, the process is buried within complex privacy settings, discouraging many from opting out. As a result, the lawsuit claims that Google is unlawfully collecting and exploiting extensive personal data.
Google has yet to comment publicly on the case. Privacy advocates and legal experts see the suit as a significant confrontation over AI ethics and consumer rights, emphasizing the need for transparency in deploying AI tools. The outcome of this case could reshape industry standards around default settings and informed consent in AI-driven products, setting a precedent for how large corporations balance innovation with privacy protections.
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