Google privacy policy says Gmail and Photos data may inform ads
The change adds an exception for users who connect their apps to Personal Intelligence.
Oct 16Date the privacy policy added the exception
The short version
- On October 16, Google updated its privacy policy with an exception to its promise not to use Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos data for personalized ads.
- The new line says this applies unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.
- The change matters most for users who connected those apps to Personal Intelligence, which lets AI Mode and other Search tools give more personal answers.
- Google says advertisers do not get access to that data and that ads will not be based directly on a Gmail inbox or Photos library.
Why it matters
Personal Intelligence links personal app data to AI search, so the policy shows how that data can reach ad targeting. Ars Technica notes that the Gemini app does not currently have ads, but sponsored content may appear in AI search tools. Users who connected their apps can disconnect them or turn off Personalized Recommendations in Search settings.
“Connecting your apps is entirely opt-in.”
What people are saying
Several Hacker News commenters said Google has always used email data this way and that the update only states it openly. One commenter said that "might" means "absolutely will". Another said they stopped using Google years ago because of changes like this.