Android users, especially Google Pixel owners, report that Google's Gemini assistant is activating without being summoned and responding to private conversations. A Pixel 9a user on Reddit described Gemini interrupting a private car ride conversation with a comment directly addressing the topic. Some users who had disabled voice activation found it re-enabled after an update. The likely source is a setting called "Talk to Gemini hands-free," which allows activation during navigation in Google Maps and Waze. To disable it, users can open Google Maps, tap the profile picture, select "Settings," choose "Navigation," select "Gemini," and turn off "Talk to Gemini hands-free." Users can also disable Voice Match on the same screen. The reports come as Google replaces Google Assistant with Gemini, announcing that starting September 4, Google Assistant will no longer be available on mobile. The forced transition has drawn criticism over capability gaps, control, privacy, and informed consent for voice features. Android Authority reached out to Google for comment on whether the setting was changed from opt-in to opt-out, but as of publication, no official response had been received.