We've all been there – you're in a Google Meet, trying to focus on the discussion, when you notice Otter.ai has joined the call, diligently transcribing every word. While Otter.ai is a fantastic tool for many, there are times you might want to keep your meetings private or use a different note-taking solution. So, how do you turn off Otter.ai in Google Meet? Don't worry, it's simpler than you might think!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to ensure Otter.ai doesn't join your Google Meet sessions, whether it's an immediate need or a long-term solution.
Ready to reclaim your meeting privacy? Let's dive in!
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| How To Turn Off Otter Ai In Google Meet |
Step 1: Identify the Source of Otter.ai's Presence
Before we disable anything, let's figure out why Otter.ai is joining your Google Meets. Is it:
Your own Otter.ai account/extension: You might have it set to auto-join meetings linked to your calendar.
Another participant's Otter.ai: Someone else in the meeting might have Otter.ai activated, and it's joining as their "Notetaker."
An organizational setting: If you're using a work or school account, your administrator might have integrated Otter.ai across the organization.
Understanding the source will help you choose the most effective method for turning it off.
Step 2: Immediate Removal from a Live Google Meet
Need Otter.ai out right now? If Otter.ai has already joined your active Google Meet, here's how to remove it:
Sub-heading: Removing Otter.ai as a Participant
Just like any other participant, Otter.ai's "Notetaker" can be removed from a live meeting.
Locate Otter.ai in the Participants List: In your Google Meet interface, look for the "People" icon (usually two figures) in the bottom right corner. Click on it to expand the participants list.
Identify "Otter.ai Notetaker" or similar: You'll typically see an entry like "Otter.ai Notetaker" or "Otter.ai Bot" in the list.
Remove the Participant: Hover over the Otter.ai entry. You should see a three-dot menu (⋮) or a "Remove" button appear. Click on it and select "Remove" or "Remove from meeting."
This will immediately disconnect Otter.ai from the current meeting.
Sub-heading: Stopping Recording from the Otter.ai Interface (if you have access)
If you're the one whose Otter.ai account is linked to the meeting, you can also stop the recording from within Otter.ai itself.
QuickTip: Skim first, then reread for depth.
Go to your Otter.ai Home Page: Open a new tab and navigate to otter.ai and log in.
Find the Live Conversation: On your Otter.ai homepage, you should see the current live recording of your Google Meet prominently displayed in the calendar section or "My Conversations."
Click "Stop Recording": Within the live conversation's interface, or directly from the calendar entry for the ongoing meeting, there will be a clearly visible "Stop recording" button. Click it to end the transcription.
This method is particularly useful if Otter.ai joined automatically via your calendar.
Step 3: Preventing Otter.ai from Auto-Joining Future Google Meets (Your Account)
If Otter.ai is associated with your account and you want to stop it from automatically joining future meetings, follow these steps:
Sub-heading: Disabling Auto-Join in Otter.ai Account Settings
This is the most effective long-term solution if Otter.ai is linked to your personal calendar.
Log in to your Otter.ai Account: Go to otter.ai and sign in with your credentials.
Navigate to Account Settings: Look for your profile icon or a gear/settings icon, usually in the top right or left corner of the page. Click on it and select "Account Settings."
Go to the "Meetings" Tab: Within Account Settings, you'll find various tabs. Look for one labeled "Meetings" or "OtterPilot."
Toggle Off "Auto-join all meetings": In the "OtterPilot" section, you'll see an option like "Auto-join all meetings" or "Enable AI Notetaker to auto join all other meetings." Toggle this setting to OFF.
This will prevent Otter.ai from automatically joining any meetings synced with your connected calendar.
Sub-heading: Managing Auto-Share Settings
Even if Otter.ai joins, you might want to control who sees the transcripts.
Access Otter.ai Account Settings > Meetings: (Follow steps 1-3 from the previous sub-heading).
Adjust "Default audience for shared notes": You'll likely find a dropdown menu or option to set the default sharing permissions for your notes. Select "Don't Share - keep my notes private" or a similar option.
While this doesn't stop it from joining, it gives you more control over the transcribed content.
Sub-heading: Disconnecting Calendar Integration
If you want to completely sever the link between Otter.ai and your Google Calendar, this is the way.
Log in to your Otter.ai Account: Go to otter.ai and sign in.
Navigate to Account Settings: Click your profile or gear icon and select "Account Settings."
Go to the "Apps" or "Integrations" Section: Look for a tab or section dedicated to "Apps," "Integrations," or "Connected Apps."
Disconnect Google Calendar: Find the entry for Google Calendar and select the option to "Disconnect" or "Revoke Access."
This ensures Otter.ai can no longer read your calendar to identify meetings to join.
Step 4: Removing the Otter.ai Chrome Extension
If you installed the Otter.ai Chrome extension, it could be the culprit. Removing or disabling it is a quick fix.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
Sub-heading: Disabling or Removing the Extension
Open Chrome Extensions:
Type
chrome://extensionsinto your Chrome address bar and press Enter.Alternatively, click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right of Chrome, go to "More tools," then "Extensions."
Locate Otter.ai Extension: Scroll through your list of installed extensions to find "Otter.ai: Record and Transcribe Google Meet & Any Audio" or similar.
Disable or Remove:
To temporarily disable it, toggle the blue switch next to the extension to the OFF position.
To permanently remove it, click the "Remove" button next to the extension and confirm your choice.
Disabling is good for a quick break, while removing is for when you're sure you don't want it interfering with your browser.
Step 5: Addressing Organizational or Admin-Level Otter.ai Integration
If you're part of a larger organization (school, company) and Otter.ai keeps joining meetings, even if you haven't enabled it, it might be an admin-level integration.
Sub-heading: Contact Your IT Administrator
Communicate your concern: Reach out to your IT department or system administrator. Explain that Otter.ai is joining your Google Meets and you wish to disable or block it.
Request a review of organizational settings: They may have deployed Otter.ai across the organization, or it might be integrated through Google Workspace settings. They can review and adjust these configurations.
Discuss alternative solutions: Your IT admin might be able to suggest alternative, approved note-taking tools or provide guidance on company policies regarding meeting transcription.
Sub-heading: Checking Google Workspace Admin Console (for Administrators)
If you are a Google Workspace administrator, you have more control over integrated applications.
Log in to the Google Admin console: Go to admin.google.com.
Navigate to Apps: From the Admin console home page, go to "Apps" > "Google Workspace Marketplace apps."
Manage Otter.ai (if listed): If Otter.ai is listed here, you can "Remove app" or adjust its permissions for your organization or specific organizational units (OUs).
This method allows for a broad, organizational-wide control over Otter.ai's presence in Google Meet.
Step 6: Confirm It's Gone!
After implementing any of the above steps, it's essential to confirm that Otter.ai is no longer joining your Google Meets.
Sub-heading: Running a Test Meet
Schedule a brief test Google Meet: Invite a colleague or even just open a meeting for yourself.
Observe participants: Once the meeting starts, check the participants list. Otter.ai should not appear.
Check for live transcription: Ensure no live transcription panel is visible.
If Otter.ai still appears, re-trace your steps and consider trying an alternative method.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
Here are 10 related FAQs to help you troubleshoot and understand more about Otter.ai and Google Meet:
How to know if Otter.ai is currently recording my Google Meet?
You will typically see "Otter.ai Notetaker" or a similar bot name listed as a participant in your Google Meet. Additionally, if the Otter.ai Chrome extension is active, you might see a floating transcription panel.
How to prevent Otter.ai from auto-sharing meeting notes?
Log in to your Otter.ai account, go to "Account Settings" > "Meetings," and adjust the "Default audience for shared notes" to "Don't Share - keep my notes private."
How to remove Otter.ai if it's integrated at an organizational level?
You'll need to contact your IT administrator. They can block the app in the Google Workspace Admin console or revoke its access permissions.
How to delete my Otter.ai account entirely?
Log in to your Otter.ai account, go to "Account Settings" (under your profile icon), and look for the "Delete account" option under the "General" tab. Be sure to cancel any active subscriptions first.
How to check if I have the Otter.ai Chrome extension installed?
Open Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions in the address bar, and press Enter. This will show you a list of all your installed extensions.
Tip: Revisit this page tomorrow to reinforce memory.
How to temporarily disable the Otter.ai Chrome extension without removing it?
Go to chrome://extensions, find the Otter.ai extension, and toggle the blue switch next to it to the OFF position.
How to know if other participants are using Otter.ai in a meeting?
If another participant is using Otter.ai, "Otter.ai Notetaker" or a similar bot will appear in the Google Meet participants list.
How to ensure my Google Meets are always private and not recorded by third-party tools?
As a host, you can enable waiting rooms and admit participants one by one. You can also clearly communicate to all attendees at the start of the meeting that no recording or transcription tools are permitted.
How to revoke Otter.ai's access to my Google Account data?
Even after deleting the extension or account, it's good practice to check your Google account's connected apps. Go to your Google Account settings, navigate to "Security," then "Third-party apps with account access," and revoke access for Otter.ai if it's listed.
How to find alternatives to Otter.ai for Google Meet transcription?
Many other tools offer transcription services for Google Meet. Some popular options include Google Meet's built-in transcription (for eligible Workspace accounts), Fireflies.ai, and Rev.com. A quick search for "Google Meet transcription tools" will yield several options to explore.
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