Google updated its privacy policy on 16 October to allow the use of Gmail and Google Photos data for targeted advertising when users enable personal AI features. The change introduces a specific exception to previous commitments regarding the separation of personal content from ad targeting systems. Under the new rules, data from Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos can now flow to services supporting personalised ads if the user chooses to connect these accounts to AI Mode or other Search tools. This shift marks a departure from the earlier stance that explicitly forbade using such sensitive information for commercial advertising purposes.
The practical impact concerns users who rely on integrated AI features within their daily Google ecosystem. By linking these services, individuals effectively consent to a broader collection of personal details that were previously reserved for product improvement rather than marketing. This development alters the boundary between private communication and commercial surveillance within the platform. It also means that the promise of keeping personal files separate from ad algorithms is no longer absolute for those engaging with advanced AI functions.
- Data from Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos is now eligible for ad targeting.
- Consent is required only when users connect these services to AI tools.
- The change applies to personalised ads specifically, not general service operations.
