What changed
On October 16, Google updated its privacy policy, removing a previous restriction that prevented using data from apps like Gmail, Drive, and Photos for ad personalization. The revised language now allows data from these apps to inform ads when shared with other Google services, particularly through the Personal Intelligence feature.
What this means in practice
The change enables data from Gmail and Photos to contribute to ad targeting when integrated with AI search tools via Personal Intelligence. While Google asserts that ads are not directly based on personal data, the policy acknowledges that personal data may be an element of ad targeting in AI search. Users who have enabled Personal Intelligence may see ads influenced by their data, though Google maintains that this data is not shared with third parties.
Limitations and availability
Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature that connects user data across Google services, including the Gemini app and AI Mode search. Users can disable connections to Workspace and Google Photos through the Gemini settings or within their Google account's Data & privacy settings. Google emphasizes that it filters personal data from user activity controls to prevent it from being used in model training, though it does not guarantee complete success in this filtering process.
