Google has updated its privacy policy to clarify that information from Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos may influence personalized advertising when users allow other Google services to access their data. The change has raised questions about how the company handles personal information across its growing range of AI-powered products.
The revised policy introduces an exception to Google's earlier statement that it would not show personalized ads based on content from these services. However, the change does not mean Google will automatically scan every user's inbox to serve advertisements.
Google's previous policy said it did not show personalized ads based on content from Gmail, Drive, or Photos. The updated version retains that protection but adds an exception for users who choose to make data from these services available to other Google products that support personalized advertising.
The policy specifically says that Search may process data users allow it to access to personalize content, including ads. This means information shared through connected services could, in certain circumstances, influence the advertising users encounter.
Google has not announced that every Gmail account will automatically become part of this process. The change affects how information may be used when users enable specific service connections.
The policy update is relevant to Google's Personal Intelligence features, which can connect information across supported services to provide more personalized responses. For example, a user could allow an AI-powered Google service to access a hotel booking confirmation in Gmail and use those details to suggest nearby activities.
While this integration can make search results and AI responses more useful, it also creates questions about how information from private accounts may influence other services, including advertising.
Google said that connecting apps is optional. The company also said that ads won't be based directly on a user's Gmail inbox or Photos library and that it won't use sensitive information to tailor ads.
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Users who do not want their personal content to influence personalized experiences should review which Google services they have connected. They can check Personal Intelligence settings and manage connected apps in Gemini. Google Account settings also provide options to manage personalized recommendations and connected content for Search services.