Google Privacy Policy Update Points to Gmail Ad Targeting
Google's updated privacy policy opens the door for personal data from apps like Gmail and Photos to influence ad targeting when shared with AI services.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
A Shift in Google's Privacy Policy
Using Google’s products and services has always involved a delicate balance, as doing so provides the world’s largest advertising company with significant personal data. Google has long maintained that it would not use sensitive data from products like Gmail, Drive, and Photos for ad personalization. However, a recent update to the company's official privacy policy appears to dismantle that protective firewall.
The policy change was originally spotted by Android Authority. Previously, the ad personalization section contained a clear limit on data from certain apps, explicitly stating that personalized ads would not be shown based on content from Drive, Gmail, or Photos. The updated language removes this explicit protection, opening up new possibilities for how data is handled across Google ecosystems.
The Role of Personal Intelligence and AI Search
This policy adjustment aligns with Google's broader strategy to connect its products and services. The mechanism facilitating this data sharing is Personal Intelligence, which was introduced by the company to allow users to feed data from multiple apps into Google AI products. The stated goal is to provide better AI answers using context from existing user data, but it has also introduced significant privacy implications.
Personal Intelligence connects user data to the Gemini app as well as features like AI Mode search. While the Gemini app currently does not display ads, sponsored content can appear in AI search tools. Google’s updated privacy policy indicates that data shared with AI search through Personal Intelligence can contribute to ad personalization.
Google's Clarification and Stance
In response to concerns, Google issued a statement clarifying that the update does not mean ads are based directly on personal data. The company emphasized that connecting apps is entirely opt-in, and ads remain relevant to factors such as user queries, response context, and general interests. Google maintains that sensitive information and raw inbox contents will not be used directly to tailor advertisements.
A Google spokesperson further explained that the privacy clarification does not signal a change in how user data is managed regarding advertising partners. The company stated it is not scanning entire inboxes to enhance advertising profiles or sharing this information with third parties. Nevertheless, interacting with AI search tools while Personal Intelligence is enabled means that summaries derived from personal data can influence the ads displayed.
Broader Ecosystem Concerns and Model Training
The core of the issue stems from Google's desire to integrate its products and services so they can share information seamlessly, viewing this massive repository of data as a key asset for its artificial intelligence efforts. While certain applications retain protected status, the growing number of interconnected avenues increases potential privacy risks across the ecosystem.
Similar questions have arisen regarding how Google handles user interactions for model training purposes. Although the company states that personal data is not utilized directly for training AI models, user inputs and model outputs are processed in ways that could incorporate elements of personal information due to deep service integration.
How to Manage Connected Content Apps
Because Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature often presented through pop-ups and prompts during routine use, users may have enabled it without fully understanding the long-term consequences. Those who wish to prevent personal data from being utilized in this manner must manually disable the feature.
To turn off these connections, users can access the Gemini settings for Personal Intelligence or navigate through the main Google account settings under Data & privacy, followed by Personalization settings, Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search Services, and Connected Content Apps. From this menu, connections to Workspace and Google Photos can be disabled.
Sources
- Ars TechnicaUpdated Google privacy policy says your Gmail might be used for advertising
Continue chronologically
Related entity coverage
Related stories
Google Updates Privacy Policy for AI and Personalized Ads
Google has updated its privacy policy, indicating it might use Gmail, Drive, and Photos data for targeted ads when using personalized AI features.
Gmail's Live AI Search Arrives for Subscribers
Google is rolling out its new Gmail Live AI search and voice features for Google AI subscribers, bringing conversational inbox search to life.
Android Auto Calling Bug Affects Closed Foldable Phones
An Android Auto bug is impacting calling capabilities on closed foldable phones, with users pointing to potential ties with Gemini.
Google Fixes Annoying Photos Bug Hiding Edited Images
Google resolves a frustrating bug in its Android image gallery app that caused edited photos to disappear from other applications' image pickers.
