Google Privacy Policy Change Ties Gmail, Photos Data to AI Search Ads
Google's October 16 privacy-policy update adds an exception letting Drive, Gmail and Photos data inform personalized ads when shared via Personal Intelligence.
The story in focus
Google updated its privacy policy on October 16 to add an exception allowing data from Drive, Gmail and Photos to inform personalized ads when users share it with other Google services via Personal Intelligence, which connects apps to Gemini and AI Mode search. Google says ads are not based directly on that data.
- The prior ad-personalization promise said Google would not show personalized ads based on Drive, Gmail or Photos content.
- The update adds an exception when users make that data available to other Google services that support personalized ads.
- Personal Intelligence, released in early 2026, lets users connect app data to Gemini and AI Mode search.
- Google says advertisers do not receive the data, and ads will not be based directly on Gmail or Photos content.
- Disabling connected apps or Personalized Recommendations in settings prevents this use, according to the reports.
What changed in the policy
Google's ad-personalization section previously stated that personalized ads would not be shown based on content from Drive, Gmail or Photos. As of October 16, Google added an exception for cases where a user chooses to make data from those services available to other Google services that support personalized ads, according to Ars Technica and The Verge, which both cite Android Authority's discovery of the update.
The policy says Search may process data a user allows it to access to personalize content, including ads. Google told Ars the clarification does not change how it handles data with advertising partners and that it does not scan entire inboxes for ad profiles.
How Personal Intelligence connects the data
Google released Personal Intelligence in early 2026, allowing users to connect data from multiple apps to Gemini and AI Mode search for more contextual answers. The Gemini app does not currently carry ads, but AI search tools may show sponsored content.
Google's statement says connecting apps is opt-in and that ads remain relevant to queries, response context and interests, not based directly on a Gmail inbox or Photos library. Sensitive information will not be used to tailor ads, Google said. The Verge reports advertisers do not get access to the underlying data or identifying details.
What users can do
Users who want to prevent this use can disconnect apps from Personal Intelligence in Gemini settings or disable Personalized Recommendations. Ars notes the second route sits under the main Google account's Data & privacy settings, then Personalization settings, then Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search Services, then Connected Content Apps, where Workspace and Google Photos connections can be turned off.
Can I stop Google from using my Gmail and Photos data for personalized ads?
Yes, according to the reports. Disable connected apps in Gemini's Personal Intelligence settings, or turn off Personalized Recommendations under Data & privacy in your Google account, then manage connected content apps to disconnect Workspace and Google Photos.
Sources & further reading
- Updated Google privacy policy says your Gmail might be used for advertising ↗Ars Technica
- Now Google says it might use your Gmail and Google Photos data to target ads ↗The Verge
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