Google collects data on everything you do while using its products and services. Sometimes this data is sold to advertisers; sometimes it’s used to make it easier to use Google’s products.
For example, Google uses data from Gmail, Chat, and Meet to make the entire Google user experience more convenient, like how it’ll learn how you type and suggest automated message replies that (hopefully) sound natural.
However, some people don’t want their data tracked and stored, period, no matter what conveniences it brings.
So some benefits are lost but it does not actually lock Google out of your e-mail as they still technically have access to it (did you never wonder why GMail has no built-in encryption?). You can install FlowCrypt extension though which will give you OpenPGP encryption but remember your recipients also need OpenPGP otherwise they won’t read anything either.
See Turn Off Gmail’s ‘Smart’ Features to Avoid Tracking
Google collects data on everything you do while using its products and services. Sometimes this data is sold to advertisers; sometimes it’s used to make it easier to use Google’s products.