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   Google can now read your WhatsApp messages (neowin.net)
Things like these make me glad to have a Xiaomi phone with their minimal implementation of Google instead of a full on Android phone. I get to avoid this stuff being pushed on me, and I don't use any of the Xiaomi "AI" stuff (which wouldn't support foreign apps anyway).

Granted, my data is definitely being sent to Xiaomi analytics, fixed by NextDNS. Re: governmental influence, I'd prefer Chinese to US (then again, that is my ethnicity bias). Recent events make the two governments look more similar than ever.

These big tech companies are so frustrating. Why does every single aspect of our digital lives need to be monitored? It’s like whack a mole trying to get the most basic of privacy.
> With Gemini Apps Activity turned off, their Gemini chats are not being reviewed or used to improve our AI models.

Indeed bizarre as the statement doesn't say much about data collection or retention.

More generally, I'm conflicted here -- I'm big on personal privacy but the power & convenience that AI will bring will probably be too great to overcome. I'm hoping that powerful, locally-run AI models will become a mainstream alternative.

Personally, I prefer AI to stay in its own corner. Let ChatGPT, Gemini, and the rest be something I open when I need them, like a website or an app. I'm not really into the whole "everything should have AI built into it" idea.

It kind of reminds me of how the internet used to be. Back then, you had to go to a specific room to use the family computer. The internet was something you visited. Now, tech is everywhere, from our pockets to our bathrooms. I’m not sure I want AI following that same path.

e2e encryption is insufficient when you don't control the host, and though you may own your Android/iOS device - the proprietary stack owns you.
how does this work ? Aren't the whatsapp data encrypted locally ?
If you do not like this, file a complaint with your State's AG. I just did that.

I do not use WhatsApp, but I have other apps I do not want google to see.