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Google urges caution as Gmail AI tools face new threats

Google has issued a warning about a new wave of cyber threats targeting Gmail users, driven by vulnerabilities in AI-powered features.

Researchers at 0din, Mozilla’s zero-day investigation group, demonstrated how attackers can exploit Google Gemini’s summarisation tools using prompt injection attacks.

In one case, a malicious email included hidden prompts using white-on-white font, which the user cannot see but Gemini processes. When the user clicks ‘summarise this email,’ Gemini follows the attacker’s instructions and adds a phishing warning that appears to come from Google.

The technique, known as an indirect prompt injection, embeds malicious commands within invisible HTML tags like <span> and <div>. Although Google has released mitigations since similar attacks surfaced in 2024, the method remains viable and continues to pose risks.

0din warns that Gemini email summaries should not be considered trusted sources of security information and urges stronger user training. They advise security teams to isolate emails containing zero-width or hidden white-text elements to prevent unintended AI execution.

According to 0din, prompt injections are the new equivalent of email macros—easy to overlook and dangerously effective in execution. Until large language models offer better context isolation, any third-party text the AI sees is essentially treated as executable code.

Even routine AI tools could be hijacked for phishing or more advanced cyberattacks without the userćs awareness. Google notes that as AI adoption grows across sectors, these subtle threats require urgent industry-wide countermeasures and updated user protections.

Users are advised to delete any email that displays unexpected security warnings in its AI summary, as these may be weaponised.

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Google Gemini flaw lets hackers trick email summaries

Security researchers have identified a serious flaw in Google Gemini for Workspace that allows cybercriminals to hide malicious commands inside email content.

The attack involves embedding hidden HTML and CSS instructions, which Gemini processes when summarising emails instead of showing the genuine content.

Attackers use invisible text styling such as white-on-white fonts or zero font size to embed fake warnings that appear to originate from Google.

When users click Gemini’s ‘Summarise this email’ feature, these hidden instructions trigger deceptive alerts urging users to call fake numbers or visit phishing sites, potentially stealing sensitive information.

Unlike traditional scams, there is no need for links, attachments, or scripts—only crafted HTML within the email body. The vulnerability extends beyond Gmail, affecting Docs, Slides, and Drive, raising fears of AI-powered phishing beacons and self-replicating ‘AI worms’ across Google Workspace services.

Experts advise businesses to implement inbound HTML checks, LLM firewalls, and user training to treat AI summaries as informational only. Google is urged to sanitise incoming HTML, improve context attribution, and add visibility for hidden prompts processed by Gemini.

Security teams are reminded that AI tools now form part of the attack surface and must be monitored accordingly.

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New Gemini AI tool animates photos into short video clips

Google has rolled out a new feature for Gemini AI that transforms still photos into short, animated eight-second videos with sound. The capability is powered by Veo 3, Google’s latest video generation model, and is currently available to Gemini Advanced Ultra and Pro subscribers.

The tool supports background noise, ambient audio, and even spoken dialogue, with support gradually expanding to users in select countries, including India. At launch, access to the web interface is limited, though Google has announced that mobile support will follow later in the week.

To use the tool, users upload a photo, describe the intended motion, and optionally add prompts for sound effects or narration. Gemini then generates a 720p MP4 video in a 16:9 landscape format, automatically synchronising visuals and audio.

Josh Woodward, Vice President of the Gemini app and Google Labs, showcased the feature on X (formerly Twitter), animating a child’s drawing. ‘Still experimental, but we wanted our Pro and Ultra members to try it first,’ he said, calling the result fun and expressive.

To maintain authenticity, each video includes a visible ‘Veo’ watermark in the bottom-right corner and an invisible SynthID watermark. This hidden digital signature, developed by Google DeepMind, helps identify AI-generated content and preserve transparency around synthetic media.

The company has emphasised its commitment to responsible AI deployment by embedding traceable markers in all output from this tool. These safeguards come amid increasing scrutiny of generative video tools and deepfakes across digital platforms.

To animate a photo using Gemini AI’s new tool, users should follow these steps: Click on the ‘tools’ icon in the prompt bar, then choose the ‘video’ option from the menu. Upload the still image, describe the desired motion, and provide sound or narration instructions, optionally.

The underlying Veo 3 model was first introduced at Google I/O as the company’s most advanced video generation engine. It can produce high-quality visuals, simulate real-world physics, and even lip-sync dialogue from text and image-based prompts.

A Google blog post explains: ‘Veo 3 excels from text and image prompting to real-world physics and accurate lip syncing.’ The company says users can craft short story prompts and expect realistic, cinematic responses from the model.

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OpenAI to release Chromium-based AI browser competing with Chrome

OpenAI is preparing to launch an AI-powered web browser that could challenge Google Chrome’s dominant market position. The browser is expected to debut in the coming weeks and aims to change how users interact with the web fundamentally.

The new browser will reportedly integrate AI capabilities directly into the browsing experience, allowing for more intelligent and task-driven user interactions. Instead of simply directing users to websites, the browser is designed to keep many interactions within a native ChatGPT-style interface.

If adopted by ChatGPT’s 500 million weekly users, the browser could seriously threaten Google’s ad-driven ecosystem. Chrome is critical in Alphabet’s advertising revenue, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the company’s income by collecting user data and directing traffic to Google Search.

By building its browser, OpenAI would gain more direct access to user behaviour data, improving its AI models and enabling new forms of web engagement. However, this move is part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to integrate its services into users’ personal and professional lives.

The browser will reportedly support AI ‘agents’ capable of performing tasks such as making reservations or filling out web forms automatically. These agents could operate directly within websites, making the browsing experience more seamless and productive.

While OpenAI declined to comment, sources suggest the browser is built on Google’s open-source Chromium codebase—the same foundation behind Chrome, Edge, and Opera. However, this allows OpenAI to maintain compatibility while customising user experience and data control.

Competition in the AI-powered browser space is heating up. Startups like Perplexity and Brave have already launched intelligent browsers, and The Browser Company continues to develop features for AI-driven navigation and summarisation.

Despite Chrome’s 3-billion-strong user base and over two-thirds of the browser market share, OpenAI sees an opportunity to disrupt the space. Apple’s Safari holds second place with just 16% of the global share, leaving room for new challengers.

Last year, OpenAI hired two senior Google engineers from the original Chrome team, fueling speculation that the company was eyeing the browser space. One executive even testified that OpenAI would consider buying Chrome if it were made available through antitrust divestiture.

Instead, OpenAI built its browser from the ground up, allowing greater autonomy over features, data collection, and AI integration. A source told Reuters this approach ensures better alignment with OpenAI’s goal of embedding AI across user experiences.

In addition to hardware acquisitions and agent-based interfaces, the browser represents a crucial link in OpenAI’s strategy to deepen user engagement. The company recently acquired the AI hardware firm io, co-founded by Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive, for $6.5 billion.

The browser could become the gateway for OpenAI’s AI agents like ‘Operator,’ enhancing productivity by turning passive browsing into interactive assistance. Such integration could give OpenAI a competitive edge in the evolving consumer AI landscape.

Meanwhile, Google faces legal challenges over Chrome’s central role in its ad monopoly. A US judge ruled that Google maintains an unlawful hold over online search, prompting the Department of Justice to push for divestiture of key assets, including Chrome.

OpenAI’s entry could spark a broader shift in how consumers, businesses, and advertisers engage with the internet as the browser race intensifies. With built-in AI capabilities and task automation, browsing may become a different experience.

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Google partners with UK government on AI training

The UK government has struck a major partnership with Google Cloud aimed at modernising public services by eliminating agreing IT systems and equipping 100,000 civil servants with digital and AI skills by 2030.

Backed by DSIT, the initiative targets sectors like the NHS and local councils, seeking both operational efficiency and workforce transformation.

Replacing legacy contracts, some of which date back decades, could unlock as much as £45 billion in efficiency savings, say ministers. Google DeepMind will provide technical expertise to help departments adopt emerging AI solutions and accelerate public sector innovation.

Despite these promising aims, privacy campaigners warn that reliance on a US-based tech giant threatens national data sovereignty and may lead to long-term lock-in.

Foxglove’s Martha Dark described the deal as ‘dangerously naive’, with concerns around data access, accountability, public procurement processes and geopolitical risk.

As ministers pursue broader technological transformation, similar partnerships with Microsoft, OpenAI and Meta are underway, reflecting an industry-wide effort to bridge digital skills gaps and bring agile solutions into Whitehall.

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Privacy concerns rise over Gemini’s on‑device data access

From 7 July 2025, Google’s Gemini AI will default to accessing your WhatsApp, SMS and call apps, even without Gemini Apps Activity enabled, through an Android OS’ System Intelligence’ integration.

Google insists the assistant cannot read or summarise your WhatsApp messages; it only performs actions like sending replies and accessing notifications.

Integration occurs at the operating‑system level, granting Gemini enhanced control over third‑party apps, including reading and responding to notifications or handling media.

However, this has prompted criticism from privacy‑minded users, who view it as intrusive data access, even though Google maintains no off‑device content sharing.

Alarmed users quickly turned off the feature via Gemini’s in‑app settings or resorted to more advanced measures, like removing Gemini with ADB or turning off the Google app entirely.

The controversy highlights growing concerns over how deeply OS‑level AI tools can access personal data, blurring the lines between convenience and privacy.

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Google hit with EU complaint over AI Overviews

After a formal filing by the Independent Publishers Alliance, Google has faced an antitrust complaint in the European Union over its AI Overviews feature.

The group alleges that Google has been using web content without proper consent to power its AI-generated summaries, causing considerable harm to online publishers.

The complaint claims that publishers have lost traffic, readers and advertising revenue due to these summaries. It also argues that opting out of AI Overviews is not a real choice unless publishers are prepared to vanish entirely from Google’s search results.

AI Overviews were launched over a year ago and now appear at the top of many search queries, summarising information using AI. Although the tool has expanded rapidly, critics argue it drives users away from original publisher websites, especially news outlets.

Google has responded by stating its AI search tools allow users to ask more complex questions and help businesses and creators get discovered. The tech giant also insisted that web traffic patterns are influenced by many factors and warned against conclusions based on limited data.

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Google launches Veo 3 video for Gemini users globally

Google has begun rolling out its Veo 3 video-generation model to Gemini users across more than 159 countries. The advanced AI tool allows subscribers to create short video clips simply by entering text prompts.

Access to Veo 3 is limited to those on Google’s AI Pro plan, and usage is currently restricted to three videos per day. The tool can generate clips lasting up to eight seconds, enabling rapid video creation for a variety of purposes.

Google is already developing additional features for Gemini, including the ability to turn images into videos, according to product director Josh Woodward.

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TikTok struggles to stop the spread of hateful AI videos

Google’s Veo 3 video generator has enabled a new wave of racist AI content to spread across TikTok, despite both platforms having strict policies banning hate speech.

According to MediaMatters, several TikTok accounts have shared AI-generated videos promoting antisemitic and anti-Black stereotypes, many of which still circulated widely before being removed.

These short, highly realistic videos often included offensive depictions, and the visible ‘Veo’ watermark confirmed their origin from Google’s model.

While both TikTok and Google officially prohibit the creation and distribution of hateful material, enforcement has been patchy. TikTok claims to use both automated systems and human moderators, yet the overwhelming volume of uploads appears to have delayed action.

Although TikTok says it banned over half the accounts before MediaMatters’ findings were published, harmful videos still managed to reach large audiences.

Google also maintains a Prohibited Use Policy banning hate-driven content. However, Veo 3’s advanced realism and difficulty detecting coded prompts make it easier for users to bypass safeguards.

Testing by reporters suggests the model is more permissive than previous iterations, raising concerns about its ability to filter out offensive material before it is created.

With Google planning to integrate Veo 3 into YouTube Shorts, concerns are rising that harmful content may soon flood other platforms. TikTok and Google appear to lack the enforcement capacity to keep pace with the abuse of generative AI.

Despite strict rules on paper, both companies are struggling to prevent their technology from fuelling racist narratives at scale.

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Gemini AI suite expands to help teachers plan and students learn

Google has unveiled a major expansion of its Gemini AI tools tailored for classroom use, launching over 30 features to support teachers and students. These updates include personalised AI-powered lesson planning, content generation, and interactive study guides.

Teachers can now create custom AI tutors, known as ‘Gems’, to assist students with specific academic needs using their own teaching materials. Google’s AI reading assistant is also gaining real-time support features through the Read Along tool in Classroom, enhancing literacy development for younger users.

Students and teachers will benefit from wider access to Google Vids, the company’s video creation app, enabling them to create instructional content and complete multimedia assignments.

Additional features aim to monitor student progress, manage AI permissions, improve data security, and streamline classroom content delivery using new Class tools.

By placing AI directly into the hands of educators, Google aims to offer more engaging and responsive learning, while keeping its tools aligned with classroom goals and policies. The rollout continues Google’s bid to take the lead in the evolving AI-driven edtech space.

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