Gmail keeps sending '[Reminder] You have Web & App Activity turned on' email reminders? Here's potentially why

Gmail is one of the most used Google services. Millions of people trust the company’s email platform for casual or professional use.

Throughout its existence, the service has been receiving changes, such as the new UI layout for web. Users have also reported some issues such as emails missing or getting automatically deleted.

Now, multiple Gmail users have been getting a ‘[Reminder] You have Web & App Activity turned on’ email reminder without knowing exactly why.

According to multiple reports, several Gmail users began receiving an email with the following warning: ‘[Reminder] You have Web & App Activity turned on’.

The reminder is leaving users confused as it is arriving without having made any changes to Gmail or Google settings. In many cases, the ‘Web & App Activity’ have always been on.

Got this email:[Reminder] You have Web & App Activity turned on

I think its always been turned on. I’m just nervous if its telling it was recently turned on, like someone on my account. I doubt it. Checked account activity and its all my IP. Also have 2 step enabled.
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i got email from “The Google Account” ([email protected]) about “Web Activity is Turned On” when i click details it’s sent from scoutcamp.bounces.google.com – phishing?
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The reason behind the reminder could be the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) established in the EU. Google even has a website dedicated to explaining what the GDPR is:

It seems that activating the ‘Web & App Activity’ services without prior notice to the user resulted in a violation of the GDPR. This led to a fine of USD 57 million, the largest of its kind to date.

The fine arrived at the end of last year. And from then on, those using various Google services have been receiving the ‘[Reminder] You have Web & App Activity turned on’ message via Gmail.

That said, a Redditor suggested a potential workaround that could help you stop receiving the reminder email:

– Get a temporary phone number from TextVerified or similar

– Use that number to sign in to your account

– Immediately set up a 2FA method (hardware key and/or TOTP authenticator app)

– Now remove the temporary phone number from the account again

They won’t ask for a phone number again. What they really want is an additional verification method.
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We will update this story as events unfold.

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