Google’s latest update to its Gemini AI assistant, rolled out on July 7, expands its access to system apps like Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities—even when users have disabled Gemini Apps Activity.

According to an email sent to Android users, Gemini will be able to access these apps whether Gemini Apps Activity is on or off. The email also says that human reviewers, including service providers, may read, annotate, and process data accessed by Gemini, and that data may be stored for up to 72 hours.