Google can use Gmail and Photos data for ads if AI tools connect them
Since 16 October 2026, data that you connect to the AI tools of Google can also target ads.
Google changed its privacy policy on 16 October 2026. The text before the change says that Google does not use Drive, Gmail or Google Photos for personalized ads. The new text adds a condition. This stops if you select to make data from these services available to other Google services that show personalized ads. Android Authority saw the change.
What changed
Some users connected Drive, Gmail or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools with the Personal Intelligence tool. These users can see ads that come from that content. The policy says that data you give to AI tools can also give you more personal ads.
The limits
Advertisers do not get your Drive, Gmail or Photos data. They do not get your name or your email address. Google says it will not show ads on sensitive subjects: race, sexual orientation, religion or health.
What you can do
You can disconnect each app from Personal Intelligence. You can also stop Personalized Recommendations on the Search Services Personalization page. The source does not give the number of users that connected data.
Insight: Platforms widen their data terms
Google adds a condition for ads on connected data. Meta terms from 30 October let it crawl business websites to train AI tools. This reads as platforms that use a terms update to get more data for AI. The user must do a step to stop it. The UK ICO also examines how AI developers use personal data. Read each terms update as a change in who can use your data.
Sources
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