Google updates privacy policy so Gmail and Photos data may target ads
Google has updated its privacy policy in a way that could mean users start seeing targeted ads based on personal data if they use personalized AI features. The change was spotted by Android Authority and reported by The Verge.
The previous version of the policy simply said Google would not use your Drive, Gmail or Google Photos for personalized ads. As of October 16th, Google has added a line: "unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads."
According to The Verge, the practical meaning is this. Anyone who has connected Drive, Gmail or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools through Google's Personal Intelligence feature may now see ads targeted on the basis of that content. Personal Intelligence lets those tools give better responses or recommendations by knowing more about you. Under the new terms, sharing your data for better AI recommendations also means opening it up for more personalized ads.
The Verge adds two limits. Advertisers do not get access to your Drive, Gmail and Photos information, or to personally identifying details such as your name or email address. And Google will not show ads based on sensitive categories like race, sexual orientation, religion or health.
The policy text itself says: "You may choose to allow certain Google services, including services like Search or Gemini Apps, to access data from other Google services you use, such as Google Photos and Workspace apps like Gmail and Drive, in order to provide you with a more personalized experience, subject to the policies and settings of the accessing service. For example, Search may process some of the data that you allow Search to access to personalize content, including ads." A second passage reads: "Depending on your settings, we may also show you personalized ads based on your interests, activity, or personalized content from Google services." Its example: if you search for "mountain bikes" in Search, you may see ads for sports equipment on YouTube.
To keep your personal data out of targeted ads, you can choose which apps to disconnect from Search's Personal Intelligence features, or disable Personalized Recommendations entirely on the Search Services Personalization settings page.
Key facts
- Google's privacy policy gained a new exception as of October 16th: Drive, Gmail and Photos are not used for personalized ads "unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads."
- People who connected Drive, Gmail or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools via Personal Intelligence may now see ads targeted on that content, according to The Verge.
- Advertisers do not get access to Drive, Gmail and Photos information or identifying details such as name or email address, and ads will not use sensitive categories like race, sexual orientation, religion or health.
- Users can disconnect individual apps from Search's Personal Intelligence features or turn off Personalized Recommendations on the Search Services Personalization settings page.
- The change was spotted by Android Authority; the previous policy version simply said Google would not use these services for personalized ads.
Why it matters
Until now the policy was a flat promise: Gmail, Drive and Photos would not feed personalized ads. The new wording turns that promise into a conditional one. The condition is that you let other Google services that support personalized ads use the data, which is what connecting your accounts to AI features like Personal Intelligence does. In the Verge's words, sharing your data for better AI recommendations also means opening it up for more personalized ads.
Who it affects
Mainly people who have connected Drive, Gmail or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools through Personal Intelligence. According to The Verge, they may now see ads targeted on the basis of that content. The policy text also names Gemini Apps and Workspace apps as part of the data-access picture.
How to use it
If you do not want your personal data used for targeted ads, there are two routes described in the article. You can choose which apps to disconnect from Search's Personal Intelligence features, or you can disable Personalized Recommendations entirely on the Search Services Personalization settings page.
How solid is it
The change rests on Google's own policy wording, which The Verge quotes, including the new line effective October 16th. The update was first spotted by Android Authority. The interpretation of what it means for users (ads based on content from connected apps) is The Verge's reading rather than a statement from Google. No Google spokesperson statement or reaction is quoted.
Risks and caveats
The source does not say whether the ad targeting applies by default or only after the user opts in beyond connecting the services; the policy says "unless you choose to make data from these services available." It also gives no regional scope and does not describe how the targeting works technically. The reassurances that advertisers cannot see your data and that sensitive categories are excluded come from the article's account, not from a quoted policy passage.
“unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.”
— Google privacy policy (new line added)