Google has updated its privacy policy to allow personal information from Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive to potentially be used for targeted advertising, raising new questions about how the company handles users’ private data.
The change, which took effect on October 16, introduces a significant exception to Google’s previous promise that it would not use content from these services to personalize advertisements.
As first spotted by Android Authority, the updated policy specifically affects users who connect their personal information to Google’s AI-powered services, including Search and Gemini.
Google has been expanding its AI capabilities throughout 2026, including the introduction of an AI-powered Gmail inbox that analyzes messages to highlight important information, reminders, and upcoming tasks.
Now, some of that same information could potentially influence the advertisements users see.
Google says Gmail and Photos data could be used for personalized ads
According to Google’s updated privacy policy, the company still promises not to use Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos content for targeted advertising by default.
However, the policy now includes an important exception. Google says that restriction no longer necessarily applies “unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.”
The change is connected to Google’s Personal Intelligence features, which allow services like Search and Gemini to access information from connected apps to provide more relevant recommendations.
For example, someone could give Google access to their Gmail inbox to help organize travel plans or find restaurant recommendations near a hotel reservation.
Under the updated policy, information shared for those personalized experiences could also be used to determine which advertisements appear.
Importantly, this doesn’t mean Google is automatically scanning everyone’s private emails and photos to serve ads. The exception applies to information users choose to share with eligible services.
Google also maintains that advertisers cannot directly access private emails, photos, or personally identifying information without permission.
The policy change comes as Google faces broader scrutiny over how it uses account information. In September, the company began analyzing Canadians’ Google searches and YouTube viewing histories to estimate their ages, potentially requiring some adults to verify their identities.
Users concerned about the latest privacy change can disconnect Gmail, Google Photos, and other connected apps from Personal Intelligence or disable Personalized Recommendations through their Google Account settings.
However, as Android Authority notes, disconnecting an app does not necessarily delete information that Google previously saved in Search Services History.
