Echto vs Google Gemini

Facts checked on 25 October 2026. Echto is in development: its column describes what we commit to, not a finished product.

The short answer

Gemini is deeply integrated with Gmail, Android and Google Search, but for personal accounts Google processes data on servers worldwide, "Keep Activity" is on by default and used to train AI, and a subset of chats is read by human reviewers and kept for up to three years. Echto keeps data in the EU, has no human review of your chats by default and only trains on your data if you opt in.

Echto and Gemini at a glance

Numbers refer to the sources at the bottom of this page. Products change often; check the provider's own pages for the latest details.
	Echto	Google Gemini
Who runs it	European company, based in the EU	Google LLC (USA); EU users are served by Google Ireland Ltd¹²
Where your data goes	Stored and processed only in the EU	Servers around the world; EU data regions are only available for Google Workspace business plans²³
AI training on your chats	Only if you opt in	"Keep Activity" is on by default for adults and is used to improve services, including training AI models⁴
Human review	Not by default	Google says a subset of chats is reviewed by human reviewers; reviewed chats are kept for up to 3 years, even if you delete your activity¹
Retention	Until you delete it	Auto-deleted after 18 months by default; even with Keep Activity off, chats are kept for up to 72 hours¹⁴
Ads	None, ever	Google says Gemini chats are not used to show ads (October 2026); Google's core business is advertising¹⁵
Price	Not final; subscription	Free, plus Google AI Plus €4.99, AI Pro €21.99 and AI Ultra from €99.99 a month⁶

Where does Gemini process EU users' data?

In the EU, the Gemini app is provided by Google Ireland Limited¹. Google's privacy policy says it runs servers around the world, so your data may be processed outside your country². Google offers an EU data region for the Gemini app, but only to Google Workspace business and education customers, not personal Google accounts³.

Echto stores and processes your data only in EU data centres, run by European providers.

Does Google read or train on your Gemini chats?

If you're 18 or over, the "Keep Activity" setting is on by default. With it on, Google uses your activity to improve its services, including training generative AI models⁴. Google also says a subset of chats is reviewed by human reviewers, including trained service providers, and warns: "Please don't enter confidential information that you wouldn't want a reviewer to see." Reviewed chats are kept for up to three years, disconnected from your account¹.

You can turn Keep Activity off or use Temporary Chats, but Google still keeps chats for up to 72 hours¹. Echto doesn't use human review of your conversations by default and only trains on your data if you opt in.

What Gemini does well

Deep integration with Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Android and Search.
Strong multimodal models and generous storage bundled with paid plans.
Clear activity controls, Temporary Chats and adjustable auto-delete.

Which should you choose?

If you live in Google's ecosystem and want the tightest integration with Gmail and Android, Gemini is the natural pick. If you'd rather have a personal assistant whose data stays in Europe, with no human review of your chats by default and no advertising business behind it, Echto is being built for that.

Frequently asked questions

Does Google use Gemini chats to train AI?

Yes, by default. For users 18 and over, Keep Activity is on and Google uses that activity to improve its services, including training generative AI. You can turn it off or use Temporary Chats. Echto only trains on your data if you opt in.

Do humans read Gemini conversations?

Google says a subset of chats is reviewed by human reviewers and that reviewed chats are kept for up to three years. Google advises not to enter confidential information you wouldn't want a reviewer to see.

Can I keep my Gemini data in the EU?

Not with a personal Google account. EU data regions for the Gemini app are a Google Workspace feature for business and education customers. Echto keeps all data in the EU for everyone.

Is Echto available yet?

Not yet. Echto is in development and people on the waitlist get early access first.

Try Echto early

Echto is a personal AI assistant that keeps your data in the EU, has no ads and doesn't train on your chats unless you opt in. It's in development; the waitlist gets access first.

Join the waitlist

Sources

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