Google updates its privacy policy to clarify it could use data shared via Personal Intelligence from connected apps, including Gmail and Photos, to target ads (Shimul Sood/Android Authority)

Google updated its privacy policy on October 16, adding language that could allow the company to use data from Gmail, Drive, and Photos to target personalized ads. Previously, the policy explicitly stated that Google would not show personalized ads based on content from those specific apps. The updated policy includes a caveat stating that this limit does not apply "unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads."

This change is linked to Google's Personal Intelligence feature, which allows users to share data across various apps to provide better AI responses and recommendations. According to Ars Technica, Personal Intelligence was released in early 2026, while 9to5Google reports the feature began rolling out in beta at the start of this year. 9to5Google notes that users cannot opt out of this ad targeting by simply disabling Personal Intelligence.

While the new terms allow data from these services to inform ads, The Verge reports that advertisers do not receive access to Gmail, Drive, or Photos information, nor do they get personally identifying details like names or email addresses. Furthermore, Google will not show ads based on sensitive categories such as religion, health, sexual orientation, or race.

Brief written by urgent.news from Techmeme, Ars Technica, 9to5Google, Hacker News Best, The Verge — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.