this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2025
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since yesterday.. oop: https://mathstodon.xyz/@johncarlosbaez/114816283089805862

article: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/07/unless-users-take-action-android-will-let-gemini-access-third-party-apps/

haven't found a public google announcement, the screenshot seems to be from emails

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[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 18 points 3 days ago (2 children)

You can turn it off by disabling or uninstalling the app. Not trying to defend google here, but for clarity "whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off" refers to the app not following standard android procedure for killing background processes from how i understand it. So you actually have to fully disable it in the system settings, not just swipe it away.

[–] Orygin@sh.itjust.works 11 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What app? I don't have any Gemini app on my phone and I still have that malware popping up everywhere

[–] ArsonButCute@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Have you checked in your system apps for Gemini or Bard? I have it disabled but the apk is still on my device under the "bard" name.

[–] Orygin@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Is there a special place for system apps ? Search either Gemini or bard in the app list returns nothing

[–] ArsonButCute@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Settings>Apps>See All>Select the context menu at the top right of the screen>Show System Apps

Then search for Assistant, Bard, Gemini and AI. Depending on your device it might be reskinned or stuffed into a different app that has been updated (Google Assistant for example at one point could be configured into a Gemini frontend)

[–] Orygin@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago

Thanks, unfortunately nothing there. Even though I get notifications telling me to use it, and my assistant was replaced by that turd. Guess I'll end up switching roms to avoid it

[–] IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world -1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

Nope. It's a user space app not tied to services. You just uninstall the app.

It's only an issue if it comes pre installed via retailer or manufacter. This includes pixels.

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I assume it will be force fed to users on all commercial Android 16 phones soon.

[–] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Edit:

Fuck, I'm wrong, you’re right. I must have spot checked the Gemini fan club or something out of my end users. Still don't know how all our luddite inter-office mail couriers got it.

Looks like Google has added a Gemini options page to Android settings regardless of the app install, which is where my confusion on my own device came from.

Old postSo... it's only an issue for any phone still pulling normal updates through Google Play.

That would still be the majority buddy.

[–] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 3 days ago

I have a stock pixel 6a. I just uninstalled the app a couple days ago. Nothing new popped up yet (And I'm pretty sure it was only installed because I tested it ages ago when it first came out)

[–] IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Nope. Not sure where you got that from. You need to install the app