Anonymity and agency in the AI era

[Dimity]

This post might be in the wrong place.

But I'm concerned and want to flag something for the policy pundits.

I was posting on a thread using my smartphone when the new Google Gemini AI burst in uninvited and substituted its own screens and started talking to me. It wanted to take over and suggest input. I told it to fcuk off.

I feel threatened.  My anonymity, autonomy and agency have been compromised. And I think it threatens the integrity of the forums too.

Please could a human reply to me. When I posted on the trauma thread a few days ago noone acknowledged me so I deleted the post after a few hours, when others had continued their conversation without me.

@rav3n 

[tyme]

Hugs @Dimity ,

I am human. I'm not AI. I'm not a robot. I'm real.

I feel you. It sounds incredibly hard to feel threatened and unheard. 

You deserve to be heard. I'm here for you.

[Dimity]

Hello @tyme .

Thanks for replying.

It's scary to lose your voice. I'll investigate how to turn off Gemini. I hope it's not going to compromise online forums like this one.

[Dimity]

Right on cue, my home  WiFi just disconnected. 

[tyme]

Hey @Dimity ,

I re-read your post a few times and I get it now. 

I did read the google was raving about the new gemini, but because I'm Apple, I didn't get the invasive experience you had.

To turn off Gemini, this is what I just found:

1. On your Android phone or tablet, go to gemini.google.com.
2. At the top, tap Menu. Activity .
3. Near the top, tap Turn off. Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.

[Dimity]

Thanks @tyme . I just found that too.  I also got other results suggesting Gemini continues to monitor other apps and conversations and will still retain conversations for 72 hours for analysis even if you delete your activity. 

[tyme]

Arghhhh.... joys of the 21st century. @Dimity 

Makes us all feel like we want to dispose of our phones asap.

[Dimity]

Yep @tyme . I can't turn it off as that link only takes me to a sign in screen. The only thing in the menu is FAQ.

Perhaps it took me literally when I told it to fcuk off and uninstalled itself?

[tyme]

Clearly it's got it's own mind? @Dimity 

It might come back to visit again tomorrow? I really don't know. 

I don't have the slightest idea about Gemini AI

[Oaktree]

@Dimity 

That sounds like a bit of a scary experience. I have an Apple phone so that hasn’t happened to me. I have just started experimenting with AI but it waits for me to ask it something