Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 9 hrs ago
Google clarifies how connected Gmail and Photos data may shape ads
Google has updated its privacy policy to explain how data from connected services may be used for ads.
Gmail, Drive and Google Photos content is not used for personalized ads by default, but sharing it with eligible Google services changes that.
Google’s Personal Intelligence feature can let Search or Gemini use connected apps to give more tailored answers, such as finding details from a hotel booking in Gmail.
Information used for those answers could also help personalize ads, though Google says advertisers cannot access the contents of users’ emails or photos.
Users who do not want Search to access connected apps can disconnect them or turn off personalized recommendations in their Google Account settings.
Previously saved information may remain in Search Services History even after an app is disconnected or the original email or photo is deleted.
Google updated its privacy policy to clarify that information from Gmail, Drive and Photos may help personalize ads if users share it with eligible Google services.
The policy says this content is not used for personalized ads by default.
Sharing can happen when users connect those apps to features such as Personal Intelligence in Search or Gemini.
Users can disconnect connected apps or disable personalized recommendations, but information already saved in Search Services History may remain.
Google says advertisers do not receive the content it accesses in users’ Workspace apps.
- Who
- Google and users of its Search or Gemini services.
- What
- Google clarified that data from connected Gmail, Drive and Photos accounts could be used as a signal for personalized ads.
- When
- The policy update took effect October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Google services, including Search and Gemini. Personal Intelligence is not available in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the U.K. or Nigeria.
- Why
- To explain that data users choose to share with eligible services for personalized features may also inform personalized ads.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Google unveiled Personal Intelligence in Gemini, allowing users to connect other services for tailored answers.
The updated privacy policy took effect.
Android Authority and Ars Technica reported on the policy clarification.
The Hacker News and Digital Trends published reports about the policy.
- Policy effective date
- October 16, 2026
- Connected services
- Gmail, Drive and Google Photos
- Feature
- Personal Intelligence in Search or Gemini
- Availability
- Beta for eligible users over 18, excluding the EEA, Switzerland, the U.K. and Nigeria
- Data retention
- Search Services History may retain previously saved data after an app is disconnected or an original email or photo is deleted
4 sources
Google changes its Workspace privacy promise on ads, and opting out limits Personal Intelligence
Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be Used for Targeted Ads
Updated Google privacy policy says your Gmail might be used for advertising
Google makes a privacy policy exception to use your Gmail and Photos data for ads
What people are saying
You may choose to allow certain Google services, including services like Search or Gemini Apps, to access data from other Google services you use, such as Google Photos and Workspace apps like Gmail and Drive, in order to provide you with a more personalized experience, subject to the policies and settings of the accessing service
For example, Search may process some of the data that you allow Search to access to personalize content, including ads.
We don't show you personalized ads based on your content from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos, unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.