Google has begun replacing its Google Assistant with a new AI system called Gemini on Android smartphones and tablets, starting on September 4. This change is permanent, meaning once the transition is complete, users won't be able to switch back to the old assistant. The update also affects other devices like Wear OS smartwatches, compatible headphones, and Android Auto, which projects the phone's interface onto a car's dashboard. However, devices like Google Home speakers, Nest displays, and Google TV are still using the original Google Assistant for now. A feature called "Keep Activity" is enabled by default in the Gemini app. This setting collects data such as written queries, voice conversation transcriptions, approximate device location, and how users interact with Gemini. By default, this data is deleted after 18 months, but users can adjust the retention period to as short as three months or as long as 36 months. For users over 18, the "Keep Activity" setting is automatically turned on. Some conversations are reviewed by human evaluators, either from Google or third-party contractors, to improve the quality of responses. These reviews are done on copies of conversations that are separated from user accounts and stored for up to three years. Deleting conversation history in the app does not remove these stored copies, as clearly stated in Google's privacy policy. Additionally, even if "Keep Activity" is turned off, Google keeps conversations for 72 hours to respond to requests and detect misuse. Gemini is more than just a chatbot; it's now integrated into services like Gmail, Docs, and Keep through voice commands. Google refers to it as a "personal operating system," meaning the more it learns about a user, the more effectively it can assist. This explains the extensive data collection. Users can manage their data by disabling "Keep Activity," changing the automatic deletion settings, or deleting their history. However, doing so may impact the performance of connected services like Google Workspace, as Gemini would lose the context of past interactions. The transition to Gemini has raised privacy concerns, especially because the switch is mandatory and the data collection settings were enabled without prior notice. Some users are questioning the lack of choice in the process and the long data retention periods. In Europe, where privacy laws like the GDPR emphasize informed consent, this approach has drawn particular scrutiny, as users may not have had the opportunity to fully understand or agree to these changes before they took effect.