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Google has changed its privacy policy so that content from Gmail, Drive and Google Photos can feed ad personalization if a user connects those apps to other Google services through Personal Intelligence. The change took effect October 16 and was spotted by Android Authority, according to The Verge and Ars Technica.
What changed
The earlier policy said Google does not show personalized ads based on content from Drive, Gmail or Photos. The new version adds a condition: "unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads."
Personal Intelligence is the mechanism for that choice. As 9to5Google describes it, the feature began rolling out in beta at the start of this year and lets Gemini share data across apps including Gmail, Photos, Search and Drive. Ars Technica notes that the Gemini app currently has no ads, but AI search tools can show sponsored content.
The updated policy gives an example: Search may process some of the data a user allows it to access in order to personalize content, including ads.
What Google says
Google told Ars Technica that connecting apps is entirely opt-in and that ads will not be based directly on a Gmail inbox or Photos library. Ads will continue to be relevant to a query, the context of the response and a user's interests, and sensitive information will not be used to tailor ads. A spokesperson said the clarification does not change how Google handles data with advertising partners, that it is not scanning entire inboxes to build ad profiles, and that it is not giving this data to third parties.
The Verge reports that advertisers do not get access to Drive, Gmail or Photos information or to identifying details such as name or email address. Google also will not target ads using categories such as race, sexual orientation, religion or health.
Ars Technica reads the statement differently in effect: because data surfaced through Personal Intelligence can shape AI search answers, and the same data is used for ad targeting, personal data becomes one element of ad targeting in AI search. Android Authority takes a middle line, saying Google does not automatically scan private emails and photos for ads, and that the exception covers only information users choose to share with eligible services.
How to limit it
The outlets agree on the main controls. Under Data & privacy in a Google Account, open Personalization settings, then Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search Services. Android Authority says the Connected Content apps section under Additional Personal Intelligence lets users disconnect Google Workspace and Google Photos. Personalized Recommendations can also be turned off entirely on the same page.