Over the last few weeks, we saw Google changed its icons and updated Google Photo’s storage policy. It seems Google isn’t done with major updates this year. Earlier today, Google’s Product Manager Maalika Manoharan blogged about the next change to the Google we know and use. In his update, he broke the news of Gmail’s new settings for smart features and personalisation. These two new settings will let users disable features like email categorization and smart compose while typing an email. Email categorization refers to inbox tabbed into Primary, Social and Promotions.
The rising concern among users about how safe their data are, and if they could control their data, gave birth to this update. As much as the smart features help the user, Maalika wrote that it was better they are used because the user finds value in using them, and not just because they have to.
Users will be free to enable or disable these settings as they wish. When smart features are disabled, Google will be unable to use your data to offer smart features in Gmail and other Google Products. No more categorized inbox, no smart compose and smart reply, you won’t see summary cards, and you cannot create an event in your calendar directly from your email. Neither will you be able to see restaurants reservations nor travel reservations in your Google Maps.
The article confirms you will still be able to use Google Products. Still, you will have more control over your data and less personalisation – as the smart features rely on users’ data to save time and provide a more helpful experience. According to the article, these updates will be ready in the next few weeks.