Google updates privacy policy on using Gmail and Photos for ads

In short: Google changed its privacy policy to say it may use data from Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos for personalized ads if you choose to share that data with certain AI features.

What happened

Google updated its privacy policy wording on October 16. The change adds an exception to Google’s earlier promise that it would not use content from Google Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos to personalize ads.

The new line says Google will not use that data for personalized ads, unless you choose to make data from those services available to other Google services that support personalized ads. In plain terms, if you connect your Gmail, Drive, or Photos to Google’s personalized AI features, that same information could also be used to help pick which ads you see.

This can apply to people using Google’s “Personal Intelligence” features, including AI tools in Search like AI Mode and Gemini apps. These tools can give more tailored answers when they can access your own information, like emails, documents, or photos (like letting a personal assistant look at your calendar so it can remind you about plans).

Google says advertisers do not get direct access to your Gmail, Drive, or Photos content, or to personal details like your name or email address. The company also says it will not show ads based on sensitive categories such as race, sexual orientation, religion, or health.

Why it matters

Many people turn on AI personalization to get more helpful results. This update means that choice may also increase how much your personal information influences the ads you see. If you want to avoid that, it may be worth checking which Google AI features you have connected to Gmail, Drive, and Photos, and turning off connections you do not need.

Source: The Verge AI