Using Google Reply to respond to your wife? Be careful

Google Reply is a (sort of) messaging assistant from Google. (More about it below). It populates your notifications with automated replies to messages like, Okay, Thank you and other routine replies. But you will have to be careful before blindly clicking whatever it suggests why? Read on.

What is Google Reply?

Google reply is an app. But not a standalone app where you can reply. It’s Google’s Reply like you do - from your account, not yours.

Google tried out automatic replies from Gmail and Allo, its messaging app. It has extended the functionality to other messaging apps like Facebook’s Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, Twitter Direct Messages, Skype, Skype Lite and Google’s own Hangouts.

How to install Google Reply?

Google Reply is in beta. You can request access here . If you don’t have the patience to wait, head to apkmirror.com. The .apk file is available here .

If you are installing an .apk file, you will have to allow your mobile to install third party apps. Your mobile will automatically take you to the settings page when you try to install the apk file.

Once the app is installed, you can tweak the settings and also set your Work and Home locations. Apart from the routine ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, Google Reply can also freak you out with some responses.

As Mala Bhargava wrote in this article : “Recently, my mother was ill and in hospital and my sister was giving us siblings regular information on what was going on. "All vitals are good and stable," she said. "Good," says Google's Reply, "Keep us posted". Say what? I was so startled that I told the others what Google had suggested. "We are all going to be wiped out with this AI," says my sister. "Good," says Reply. And so went our conversations that evening, my family and Google with touching concern shown by the latter shown towards my mom, whom I didn’t know Google was even acquainted with.”

If you have enabled all settings, especially message screening, it will automatically send messages if you are in a vehicle, biking or running.

For instance, I was in a bus when it sent out a message saying “x is in a vehicle right now”. Now if you are driving and your wife sends a message asking where you are, before you can reply you are working very hard in your office, Reply would have sent a message saying you are happily “biking”.

Google Reply settings

So, don’t mess with Reply. Be careful. Google is watching …. and reporting whatever you do.

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