Google Gemini Licensing Explained

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Gemini Licensing Explained

Google’s recent announcement that Google Gemini is now a core service within Google Workspace has led to some confusion regarding the distinction between the Gemini App and Gemini for Google Workspace and your Gemini licensing options.

This blog post provides clarity on the products and their pricing.

The Gemini App

The Gemini App runs at gemini.google.com. There are two versions of the Gemini App: Gemini and Gemini Advanced.

Gemini is free and runs as a web app and a Chrome extension. It offers a range of features, including: 

  • Summarization
  • Translation
  • Q&A
  • Brainstorming
  • Writing suggestions

Gemini integrates with other Google apps and is free to use.

Gemini Advanced is a stand-alone paid service, and it is included as a core service in most Google Workspace subscriptions. It offers all of the features of Gemini, plus:

  • Access to a larger language model
  • The ability to create custom models
  • More robust image generation
  • Priority support

If you have Google Workspace, Gemini Advanced is included as a core service at no additional cost. Stand-alone access to Gemini Advanced costs $19.99 per month and requires a Google One account for security.

Gemini for Google Workspace

Gemini for Google Workspace is an add-on to Google Workspace that brings Gemini directly into Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Meets.  Integrations into Chat and other Google Workspace apps are expected in the near future.

Pricing depends on your Google Workspace subscription tier. With an annual commitment, Gemini for Google Workspace pricing is as follows:

  • Business Tier: $20/user/month 
  • Enterprise Tier: $30/user/month

You can subscribe on a month-to-month basis for $24 and $36 per user, respectively.

Gemini for Google Workspace for Education has two pricing options with an annual commitment:

  • Gemini Education: $16/user/month
  • Gemini Education Premium: $24/user/month

Your Next Step:

Give Gemini a try. For a limited time, we are offering a Gemini $10 Trial for Google Workspace clients that includes Gemini Advanced, Gemini for Google Workspace, and learning tools.

Google occasionally offers free trials and incentive discounts. Schedule a quick consultation to discuss your specific Gemini licensing options. Our Cloud Advisors will help you navigate offers, options, and pricing.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America. Starting his first business at age 12, Allen is a serial entrepreneur. He has launched strategic IT consulting, software, and service companies. An advocate for small and midsize businesses, Allen served on the board of the former Smaller Business Association of New England, local economic development committees, and industry advisory boards.

Preparing for Your Cyber Insurance Renewal

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5 Cybersecurity Standards

As you approach your annual cyber insurance renewal, you can take specific steps to ensure you have appropriate coverage and reasonable premiums.

The cyber insurance market has matured greatly over the past two years and continues to evolve rapidly. Insurers have become significantly more savvy regarding risks, protections, recovery costs, and potential liabilities. As a result, carriers are more precise in their underwriting practices.

Reviewing your cybersecurity risks and protections is a wise investment of time and resources. In a recent blog post, for example, we outlined 5 minimum cybersecurity standards that – if in place – can significantly reduce your premiums.

Here is a roadmap:

Review Your Original Application and Security Declarations

When you first applied for cyber insurance, you completed an application and, in most cases, a security survey/questionnaire. If you have not formally asked to complete a new questionnaire, take the initiative to review and update your answers.

As a part of the review, document any changes in your cybersecurity protections. Make note if you added new protections or updated procedures.

If you’ve removed or replaced any cybersecurity tools, specify which ones and the reasons for the change. It’s important to track modifications as your needs and environment evolve.

Reassess your Cybersecurity Protections

Policy renewal is a great time to step back and reassess your cybersecurity. Compare your protections to industry, regulatory, and compliance standards relevant to your business.

Our eBook, Cyber Security Requirements for Cyber Insurance, outlines basic, preferred, and best-practice protections to consider before getting or renewing your policy.

As part of your analysis, consider completing new assessments, such as Penetration Testing and Security Audits of your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace tenant. These evaluations can offer valuable insights, helping to inform decisions and set priorities for future cybersecurity improvements.

Deploy Additional Protections

Based on your review and assessments, determine if you should modify your cybersecurity protections. As you consider changes, prioritize your choices and efforts. hYou can make low-effort changes, as well as changes that address higher-level, critical risks.

You do not need to address every risk and gap. Instead, focus on demonstrating improvements and prioritizing the most likely and impactful risks for your business.

Put Your Policy Out to Bid

Finally, put your policy out to bid. Avoid simply adding coverage or riders to your general liability business coverage.

Cyber insurance is a specialized coverage, and the industry has become more adept at evaluating risks and potential liabilities.  Partner with a broker who specializes in Cyber Insurance to market your coverage to multiple, specialty carriers. This will help you find the best balance between coverage and price.

Your Next Steps

If you are ready to move forward, here are four steps you can take today:

  1. Schedule time with one of our Cloud Advisors.
  2. Ask your Cloud Advisor about discounted and free Security Assessments.
  3. Evaluate options and deploy additional protections, if needed and appropriate.
  4. Shop your policy for the best plan and price with our partner, DataStream.

As always, our Cloud Advisors are ready to help. Contact us or schedule time for a quick online consultation.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America. Starting his first business at age 12, Allen is a serial entrepreneur. He has launched strategic IT consulting, software, and service companies. An advocate for small and midsize businesses, Allen served on the board of the former Smaller Business Association of New England, local economic development committees, and industry advisory boards.

Understanding the Google Class Action Lawsuit Notice

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Google WorkspaceBeginning on September 23, 2024, Google Workspace administrators began receiving notices from Google Operations related to a class action lawsuit filed against Google in 2020. This Service Alert blog post summarizes the information and discusses next steps as they relate to users with Google Workspace accounts.

Background

In July 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against Google LLC, alleging unauthorized data access. The case, titled Rodriguez et al. v. Google LLC, is being heard in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs, comprising four Google account holders, claim that Google unlawfully accessed their devices and data. The access was via non-Google mobile apps, even when the “Web & App Activity” (WAA) and “supplemental Web & App Activity” (sWAA) settings were turned off or “paused.”

This lawsuit has significant implications for Google account holders using non-Google mobile apps while signed into their Google Workspace accounts between July 1, 2016, and September 23, 2024. Despite Google’s denial of the allegations and no court ruling yet on the merits of the case, the lawsuit has proceeded with class certification. 

The notice received by Google Workspace administrators is part of the initial efforts to distribute notices to potentially affected users.

Key Allegations and Legal Claims

The plaintiffs in this lawsuit assert three primary legal claims against Google:

Invasion of Privacy:

  • The plaintiffs allege that Google unlawfully accessed their mobile devices to collect, save, and use data concerning their activity on non-Google apps.
  • These apps incorporate certain Google software code into the apps while WAA and/or sWAA were turned off or “paused.”

Intrusion Upon Seclusion:

  • Similar to the invasion of privacy allegation, This claim focuses on unauthorized intrusions into private activities.

Violation of the Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (CCDAFA):

  • Plaintiffs contend that Google violated this act by unlawfully accessing and using their data.

The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and changes to Google’s practices. Google denies any wrongdoing and maintains that it did not violate any laws.

Class Certification

The court has certified four classes to assert claims for damages based on specific criteria. The two classes covering invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion apply only to non-managed user accounts.

The court defined Google Workspace accounts as “Enterprise” accounts.  For these users, the court defined two classes for claims under the CDAFA.

The classes cover:

  • Usage in the period from July 1, 2016, to September 23, 2024
  • Users with their WAA and/or sWAA settings turned off
  • A non-Google-branded mobile app transmitted activity to Google via the Firebase SDK and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.

Class 1: From an Android device 

Class 2: From a non-Android device

The Role of Workspace Administrators

Workspace administrators play a crucial role in managing the implications of this Google class action lawsuit for their end users. The Court ordered Google to notify all relevant end users who may be class members. 

Workspace administrators must ensure that they comply with their obligations under the Google Workspace Terms of Service. Per sections 3 and 7, which pertain to legal notices and updates, Workspace administrators must forward messages to end users with accounts during the period of the claim. 

Google will send Administrators lists of end user email addresses. Administrators should forward class notification emails to these users. 

Per the Court Order, Administrators must:

  1. Be prepared to receive and distribute the notices; and
  2. Distribute notices appropriately, maintaining the confidentiality and security of the information as stipulated by the court.

Email Notices and What They Mean for End Users

The court-appointed Class Notice Administrator, Epiq, began sending email notices to all eligible end users as of September 23, 2025. These notices inform users of their status in relation to the class action, specifying whether they are included in the classes for damages or for seeking changes to Google’s practices.

The email notices will provide critical information, including a contact number and additional resources for users to determine their eligibility and understand the implications of the lawsuit. 

End users should read these notices carefully and follow the instructions provided to ensure they stay informed about their rights and any potential compensation.

Stay Informed

To stay informed, you may want to periodically visit the dedicated website www.GoogleWebAppActivityLawsuit.com. You can also call the contact number (855-822-8821) for additional information and updates about the lawsuit.

Your Next Steps

Given the court order, we recommend that Google Workspace administrators use Google Groups to create a distribution list. Your list should include current employees and the personal email addresses for past employees who worked between July 1, 2016 and September 24, 2024.

If you are a client or have a Google Workspace subscription and have questions, please contact us to connect with one of our Cloud Advisors.

About the Author

Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global.  Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America. Starting his first business at age 12, Allen is a serial entrepreneur. He has launched strategic IT consulting, software, and service companies. An advocate for small and midsize businesses, Allen served on the board of the former Smaller Business Association of New England, local economic development committees, and industry advisory boards.