Google Meet to change default settings for downloading recordings

Owners will now have to manually restrict individual recordings from being downloaded or copied by viewers.

The new default will start to roll out on April 30th, 2026, and will apply to all new Google Meet recordings. Existing files won’t be affected.

Users who want to keep downloads disabled by default must uncheck “Let users download and copy Meet Recordings” in the Admin console before April 30th. This will also restrict Ask Gemini for viewers.

Google introduced Ask Gemini in Meet in September 2025. The AI-powered assistant helps summarize discussions and get a recap of what other participants said, among other functions.

The company says it may take up to 15 days, starting from April 30th, to make the new default available to all users.

The video conferencing platform Google Meet has over 300 million monthly users and is known for its convenience, as it runs directly in the browser and doesn’t require software installation.

As the changes are coming, users should be cautious about Google Meet calendar invitations or updates, which can be exploited by cybercriminals.

​Researchers at cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes have recently identified a phishing page disguised as a Google Meet update notice. With a single click, the attacker can gain access to and control the victim’s Windows PC.

​In addition, security researchers at Miggo demonstrated how a routine Google Calendar invite can trick Gemini into granting unauthorized access to private meeting data and creating misleading calendar entries.

Unlock more exclusive Cybernews content on YouTube.