Google Gemini vs GitHub Copilot: which is safer for work?
On the facts we could verify, Google Gemini carries lower data-exposure risk for default at-work use. Both should still be used on an approved tier for anything sensitive.
| Fact | Google Gemini Low risk · 14 Google · AI assistants | GitHub Copilot Low risk · 17 GitHub (Microsoft) · Coding |
|---|---|---|
| Trains on consumer-tier data | Opt-out | Opt-out |
| SOC 2 Type II | Yes | Yes |
| ISO 27001 | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR DPA | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA BAA | Yes | Unverified |
| EU data residency | Yes | Unverified |
| SSO / SAML | Yes | Yes |
| Data retention | Consumer: default up to 18 months (configurable 3-36 months) tied to Gemini Apps Activity, and human-reviewed chats disconnected from the account are kept up to 3 years; Workspace data follows the customer's standard Workspace retention/Vault. | Business/Enterprise: prompts and suggestions are not retained (transient); user engagement data kept ~24 months. Individual: prompts retained ~28 days for the code-completion service. |
Full profiles: Google Gemini · GitHub Copilot. Facts are sourced from each vendor's own policies; confirm the tier before relying on them.