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Google unveils Gemini Spark at Google I\/O 2026<\/span><\/p>\n Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Autonomous Purchasing Warning: Google\u2019s I\/O 2026 keynotes emphasized secure, user-authorized checkout protocols, but code in the Google App reveals that Gemini Spark may still make purchases without asking.<\/p>\n Unannounced Usage Caps: Even paying Google One Ultra subscribers will likely face usage caps on Gemini Spark with no obvious mechanism to top up token credits.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Google has announced a raft of new AI tools and agentic features, so it\u2019s easy to become confused: We\u2019ve already seen the new Googlebook<\/u><\/a>\u2019s \u201cMagic Pointer<\/u><\/a>,\u201d activated via a new \u201cWiggle-To-Wake\u201d gesture that lets the AI see your current window and respond to voice commands like \u201cWhat does this mean?\u201d or \u201cMove that here.\u201d We\u2019ve also been introduced to Google\u2019s new Gemini Spark agent identity, featuring the familiar Gemini \u201csparkle\u201d icon flanked by motion streaks symbolizing the agent actively working on tasks in the background. While Magic Pointer serves as an AI helper on your local device, Google\u2019s new agent takes a leap into cloud-based, background execution, bringing with it some serious risks.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Included in the onboarding text for Gemini Spark is a stark warning that the assistant can make purchases without asking. <\/p>\n Google’s Gemini Spark onboarding warns that it may “make purchases without asking”.<\/span><\/p>\n PAUL MONCKTON \/ GOOGLE<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Google Vice President and General Manager of Ads and Commerce, Vidhya Srinivasan, addressed this issue directly in the keynote. She answered the question<\/u><\/a> \u201cHow do I know it just won\u2019t go off and buy something I don\u2019t want?\u201d by introducing Google\u2019s new Agent Payment Protocol, AP2<\/u><\/a>, that securely authorizes payments based on pre-authorized user instructions<\/u><\/a>. However, Google still feels the need to protect itself with its catch-all disclaimer, warning that the agent possibly can make unexpected purchases after all. <\/p>\n The onboarding text present in `robin_agent_onboarding_card2_body_spark` includes the following key statements:<\/p>\n \u201cWhile it is designed to ask for your permission before taking sensitive actions, it may do things like share your info or make purchases without asking. Make sure to supervise Gemini Spark, and don’t rely on it for medical advice, legal, financial, or other professional help.\u201d<\/p>\n So will Spark always check for permission before making a purchase, or will it sometimes just buy stuff without asking? The language suggests that it\u2019s your responsibility to make sure this doesn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Furthermore, the embedded string `assistant_agent_quota_banner_body_ultra_spark` contains the text:<\/p>\n The words \u201cultra_spark\u201d strongly suggest that even Google One Ultra subscribers will be subject to usage limits on Gemini Spark, although it\u2019s not clear whether this applies only to the new lower-cost $100 Ultra subscription or to the newly-reduced $200 Ultra subscription too.<\/p>\nKey Takeaways<\/h2>\n
Magic Pointer Vs Gemini Spark\u2019s Comet: Two Paths For Google\u2019s AI<\/h2>\n
Automatic Shopping and Strict Usage Limits<\/h2>\n
Usage Limits, Even For Ultra Subscribers<\/h2>\n
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