Google: "Schools That Block Gemini Can't Use Search"... Some U.S. Politicians Push Back: "Extortion, Coercion"

AI Disabled by Default on U.S. K-12 Student Accounts
AI Features in Search Cannot Be Turned Off Separately
Sanders and Mamdani Criticize Google for "Threatening Schools"

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. In effect, students must choose between turning off AI and being unable to use Search.

AI backlash spreads; features disabled by default, including Search

Google search bar screen to help readers understand the article. Pexels

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." Google Search is also included among the services blocked by default. The company plans 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. Google Search currently includes AI Overviews, which display summaries at the top of search results, and AI Mode, which provides conversational answers. There is no setting to turn off just these features. Schools must therefore choose between allowing Search with AI included and blocking Search altogether. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president of education, told The New York Times (NYT), "Search and AI are deeply integrated." He added, "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."

Millions of students in the United States use Google's Chromebooks, and some start as early as kindergarten. Parents and education authorities have long been wary of students using AI chatbots. New York City education authorities have fully banned students in eighth grade and below from using generative AI starting this semester, while Los Angeles (LA) education authorities have also blocked AI use, including AI features in Google Workspace apps, on devices provided to students.

Last August, Google drew pushback from schools after enabling chatbots by default in the classrooms of schools that had already allowed Gemini. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai was also reportedly questioned by U.S. senators over the decision to enable AI features for students by default.

Sanders calls it "extortion"; Mamdani criticizes "abuse of monopoly power"

Google logo. Reuters-Yonhap News

The latest move has also drawn criticism. Senator Bernie Sanders (Vermont) wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Google is threatening schools that if they prevent students from using AI, it will cut off their access to Search," adding, "This is extortion." New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also criticized the company, saying, "Google is trying to use its monopoly power to force AI on public schools" and "No company should have the power to dictate how we teach our children." Josh Golin, executive director of the child protection group Fairplay, said Google was "trying to coerce schools into using its AI products."

Google, however, said schools can enable Gemini and Search separately, explaining that "schools are in control." Instead of offering an option to turn off AI in Search, the company has introduced a "guided learning" feature. First introduced in the Gemini app, the feature guides students step by step to help them understand concepts rather than immediately providing answers when they search for help with solving a physics problem or writing a book report. Google said it would expand the feature to Search and Classroom, adding, "AI Mode and AI Overviews will guide students through problems step by step, so they cannot easily get answers to their assignments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.