Now Google says it might use your Gmail and Google Photos data to target ads

THE NEWS

What happened

Google has updated its privacy policy regarding its Personal Intelligence feature, clarifying that users who enable AI tools to access their Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos data for better recommendations may now see targeted ads based on that content. While advertisers still cannot access personally identifying details or sensitive categories like health or religion, the change expands how personal interests are used for ad targeting.

CONTEXT

Why it matters

Google has revised its privacy policy concerning its Personal Intelligence feature. As of October 16th, if you allow AI tools to access your Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos for improved recommendations, your data may now be used to serve targeted ads. Importantly, advertisers cannot access your personally identifying details (name, email) or sensitive categories like health, religion, or sexual orientation. To maintain privacy, users can disconnect specific apps from Search's Personal Intelligence features or disable personalized recommendations entirely via the Search Services Personalization settings page.

AT A GLANCE

Key facts

• Google updated its privacy policy effective October 16th regarding Personal Intelligence features.
• Enabling AI tools to access Gmail, Drive, or Photos data now permits targeted advertising based on that content.
• Advertisers do not receive personally identifying information such as names or email addresses.
• Google prohibits ads targeting sensitive categories including race, sexual orientation, religion, and health.
• Users can prevent this by disconnecting specific apps from Search's Personal Intelligence features.
• Users can also disable personalized recommendations entirely via Search Services Personalization settings.