Google May Use Gmail, Photos Data to Target Ads

Google has revised its privacy policy to allow its services to use content from Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos to support personalized advertising under certain conditions. The change, effective October 16, adds an exception to the company’s prior commitment not to use those services for personalized ads. The shift applies when users choose to make their data available to other Google services through AI-driven features such as AI Mode, Search tools, and Gemini Apps, particularly via the Personal Intelligence capability that uses connected personal data to improve recommendations and responses. Under the updated policy, data from linked Google services may be processed to personalize content and ads. Google states that advertisers will not receive direct access to users’ Drive, Gmail, or Photos information, nor to personally identifying details such as names or email addresses. The company also said it will not target ads based on sensitive categories including race, sexual orientation, religion, or health. The update highlights a growing tradeoff between AI personalization and advertising exposure: users who allow Google’s AI tools to analyze their personal services may receive more tailored responses, but also more targeted ads based on inferred interests or activity. Users who prefer to limit this exposure can disconnect selected apps from Search’s Personal Intelligence features or turn off Personalized Recommendations through Google’s Search Services Personalization settings.