Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be Used for Targeted Ads
Google has updated its privacy policy to spell out that using personalized artificial intelligence (AI) features in Search or Gemini could allow the company to serve targeted ads to users based on their activity on other connected Google services. "You may choose to allow certain Google services, including services like Search or Gemini Apps, to access data from other Google services you use,
Google has revised its privacy policy, clarifying that AI-driven features in services like Search and Gemini may utilize user data from connected Google services, such as Photos and Gmail, to deliver tailored advertisements. Users have the discretion to decide whether to share data from these services with Google's AI tools to enhance personalization, as outlined in the policy update effective October 16, 2026.
Google cautions that Personal Intelligence, an AI mode introduced in Gemini, could incorporate data from Gmail, Photos, and Drive when users opt to integrate these services. However, the company stipulates that it does not tailor ads based on content from Drive, Gmail, or Photos by default. Nonetheless, enabling AI Mode or Gemini with Personal Intelligence activated could result in the use of such data as a signal for ad personalization.
Users can choose to disconnect apps from Personal Intelligence or toggle off personalized recommendations entirely through the Search Services Personalization settings. OpenAI, too, has been rolling out AI-driven advertisements, emphasizing that user data remains confidential and not sold to advertisers.
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