Google Gemini update: Take action to retain inactive conversations older than 90 days; manual conversation deletion available Sept. 24

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 24, University Technology ([U]Tech) will enable additional functionality for the Google Gemini app across Case Western Reserve University. This update provides users with greater control over their AI conversation history and improves data security practices by deleting inactive conversations after 90 days.

Key updates

• Inactive conversation automatic deletion: In alignment with university data governance and information security best practices, inactive Gemini conversations will be automatically deleted. Conversations are considered inactive if messages haven't been added or edited in the past 90 days. Once deleted, conversations cannot be recovered. This replaces a previous 18-month automatic deletion timeline.
• Take action to save your conversations: If you wish to retain your prompts and Gemini responses beyond the 90-days, you can easily export conversations directly to a Google Doc in your CWRU Google Drive for permanent access and collaborative editing.
• Manual conversation deletion: Starting Sept. 24, CWRU users of the Google Gemini app will have the ability to delete individual threads and past prompts from their Gemini conversation history at any time.

How to export conversations to Google Docs

To preserve important research, drafts or discussions before the 90-day threshold:

1. Open Google Gemini and navigate to the conversation you want to keep.
2. Below the response you want to export, locate the action icons and select the “Share & export” button (or the three vertical dots icon).
3. Select “Export to Docs.”
4. A notification will confirm that a new document has been created in your Google Drive, with a direct link to open and view the document immediately.

How to manually delete conversations

To delete a specific conversation from your history:

1. Beginning Sept. 24, go to Google Gemini and ensure you are signed in with your CWRU credentials.
2. In the left-hand sidebar under “Recent,” hover over the conversation title you wish to remove.
3. Click the “More options” icon (three vertical dots) next to the title.
4. Click “Delete” and confirm your selection.
5. You can also view and manage your full activity history at Google My Activity - Gemini Apps.

For assistance with this or any other technology product or service at Case Western Reserve University, contact the University Technology Service Desk at help@case.edu, 216.368.HELP (4357) or visit help.case.edu.