How Google Gemini’s Personal Context and Temporary Chats Improve Personalization and Privacy
Introduction
Google’s Gemini app just received a major update—introducing two powerful features: Personal Context, which enables Gemini to remember past conversations for smarter, more relevant responses, and Temporary Chats, a kind of “incognito mode” for confidential or one-off interactions.
What’s New With Gemini
1. Personal Context (Memory Feature)
Gemini can now automatically recall your past chats and preferences—like your interests, typical topics, or prior projects—to deliver more tailored responses. Think of it as carrying context across conversations without needing to repeat yourself. This feature is turned on by default, though you can opt out anytime in settings.
Initially available on the Gemini 2.5 Pro model in selected regions, the rollout will expand to 2.5 Flash and additional markets in the coming weeks.
2. Temporary Chats (Incognito-style Conversations)
This feature offers a way to have private, standalone conversations that won’t be saved, referenced in future chats, or used for AI training. Temporary Chats vanish from your history and the renamed “Keep Activity” log, making them ideal for sensitive or experimental queries. These chats are stored temporarily—up to 72 hours—solely to process responses and optional feedback.
Updated Data Controls
- Renaming Gemini Apps Activity to “Keep Activity”:
Google is rebranding this setting to make it clearer—you can control whether a sample of your uploads (files, photos) is used for improving services. If you previously disabled Gemini Apps Activity, the new setting remains off by default. - Mic, Screen, Audio Sharing Control:
Users now have a separate toggle to enable or disable whether audio, video, screen shares, or Gemini Live interactions are used for improving services. It’s off by default.
Why These Updates Matter
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Smarter, Personalized Responses | Gemini now understands your context across sessions, reducing repetitive prompts and making interactions more fluid. |
| Privacy and Control | Temporary Chats and configurable settings let you choose when Gemini remembers or forgets, which is vital for sensitive or varied use cases. |
| Flexible Data Management | Renamed settings and granular toggles make data usage more transparent and empower users to take control. |
How to Use These New Features
- To allow memory-driven personalization:
- Open Gemini app → Settings → Personal context → Toggle on “Your past chats with Gemini.”
- To start a private chat:
- Tap the Temporary Chat option next to “New chat” in the app drawer. These chats won’t be saved or used for AI training and expire within 72 hours.
- To manage data uploads:
- Go to Keep Activity (formerly Gemini Apps Activity) and choose whether to allow sampling for model improvement. Use Temporary Chat if you prefer not to share.
- To manage audio/video sharing privacy:
- In Settings, find the toggle for audio/video/screen sharing—disable it if you don’t want your interactions used for service improvement.
Conclusion
Google’s new Gemini features—Personal Context and Temporary Chats—strike a powerful balance between intelligence and privacy. Whether you want long-term tailored assistance or need a confidential exchange, Gemini now adapts to your preferences. Plus, clearer controls make data handling more transparent. For anyone using AI as a creative partner, these updates significantly improve the experience.
