Google links Gmail data to ads for AI users

Google removed a key privacy shield on October 16. The company now allows personalized ads to be shaped by the contents of Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos for users who have connected these services to AI Mode.

The change was first spotted by Android Authority. It modifies a long-standing pledge that stated Google would not use data from those specific apps for ad targeting. The new policy text adds a qualifier to that promise. The commitment no longer applies if a user chooses to make data from those services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.

The update targets people using the Personal Intelligence feature. This tool connects a user's personal files to AI Mode and Search tools. It allows the systems to draw on a person's own content to provide tailored answers. Under the revised terms, that same data sharing also feeds into ad targeting. Google says the change applies to a subset of users who have actively opted into this connection.

Google stated that advertisers do not get direct access to the files. Ad partners do not receive personally identifying details like names or email addresses. The company also said it will not use sensitive categories for targeting. These categories include race, sexual orientation, religion, and health.

The policy explains that users may permit services like Search or Gemini Apps to reach data from Photos or Workspace apps. This access is intended to provide a more personalized experience. The document gives a specific example. If a user searches for mountain bikes in Search, they might later see ads for sports equipment on YouTube. This illustrates how data from one service can influence ads in another.

Users who want to keep their personal data out of ad targeting have two main options. They can disconnect specific apps from Search's Personal Intelligence features. Alternatively, they can switch off Personalized Recommendations entirely. This setting is located on the Search Services Personalization settings page.

The update changes the baseline for privacy in Google's AI tools. Users who previously assumed their email and photo files were safe from ad algorithms now must check their settings. The shift applies to the 25% of users who have linked their personal files to AI Mode.