Google is adding a new option to let users opt out of having their Gmail, Chat, and Meet data used to offer smart features like Smart Compose and Smart Reply, Google announced today. Although you’ve previously been able to toggle these individual features on and off, the new toggle disables the background data processing that makes them possible. Google says the new option will roll out “in the coming weeks.”
According to images posted on Google’s blog, Gmail users will be shown two dialog boxes showing the data processing. The first concerns smart features offered within Gmail, including automatic email filtering / categorizations, Smart Compose, summary cards shown above emails, and extracting event details to create calendar entries. Google says that users won’t be able to access these features if they opt out of the data processing that makes them possible.
Before the Meet tab existed, the bottom portion of the Gmail interface (on mobile) was empty, meaning you could display more emails.
If Gmail’s Meet integration annoys you there’s an easy way to be rid of it entirely and revert Gmail back to the way it used to be.
On mobile, the process is as follows:
Tap the hamburger menu icon located at the top-left corner of your Gmail app interface.
Scroll down to the bottom of the pop-up menu and select “Settings.”
Choose the Gmail account that you’d like to disable Meet for.
Scroll down to the “Meet” section and uncheck the box with the label “Show the Meet tab for video calling.”
All done!
On desktop, Meet is much less annoying — it only occupies a few inches of space in the left panel below your inbox, drafts, and trash menus. However, if you still want to be rid of it for good, just do the following:
Click the cog-shaped Settings icon toward the top right of Gmail’s browser version (it’s the third icon from the right, starting with your profile picture).
In the new “Quick settings” menu, click on “See all settings” at the top.
In the Settings interface, look for the “Chat and Meet” tab — it’s the fourth tab from the right, starting with “Themes.”
Simply select the option for “Hide the Meet section in the main menu,” and you’re good to go.
