Google has decided to block AI services, including Gemini, by default on accounts for U.S. K-12 students, but criticism is mounting because AI features built into Search cannot be turned off separately, meaning students must choose between turning off AI and being unable to use Search. According to Yonhap News Agency on November 4, Google said in a blog post on November 3 local time that "Gemini chat, Gemini Notebook, and AI features in Google Classroom will be disabled by default on K-12 student accounts until schools choose to enable them," and Google Search is also included among the services blocked by default, with the company planning to begin implementing the measure in the United States in early 2027 and gradually expand it. The biggest point of contention is the AI built into Google Search, which includes AI Overviews and AI Mode, with no setting to turn off just these features, so schools must choose between allowing Search with AI included and blocking Search altogether. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president of education, told The New York Times that "Search and AI are deeply integrated," adding that "Students at schools that have banned AI will not be able to access Search and will see a message from their school saying it is unavailable." Senator Bernie Sanders wrote on X that "Google is threatening schools that if they prevent students from using AI, it will cut off their access to Search," adding, "This is extortion," and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also criticized