Google says opted-in Gmail and Photos data can personalize Search ads
Original title: Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be Used for Targeted Ads
The October 16 policy says ads are not personalized from Gmail, Drive or Photos unless users share that data with other Google services.
Google updated its privacy policy, effective October 16, 2026, to say Search or Gemini may process data users allow those services to access from Photos and Workspace apps such as Gmail and Drive, including for ads. The policy says Google does not show personalized ads from Drive, Gmail or Photos content unless the user makes that data available to services that support personalized ads. Personal Intelligence, unveiled in Gemini in January 2026, is in beta for users 18 and older except in the EEA, Switzerland, the U.K. and Nigeria. Users can disconnect apps or turn off personalized recommendations in Search settings. The report also notes OpenAI has expanded labeled ChatGPT ads to 89 countries.
- Android Authority first reported the policy change.
- Personal Intelligence can connect Gmail, Photos and YouTube with chat history.
- OpenAI says ChatGPT ads do not influence answers and that it does not sell customer data.
- Products
- GmailGoogle PhotosSearch
From the original article
2 min read at thehackernews.com
Google has updated its privacy policy to spell out that using personalized artificial intelligence (AI) features in Search or Gemini could allow the company to serve targeted ads to users based on their activity on other connected Google services. "You may choose to allow certain Google services, including services like Search or Gemini Apps, to access data from other Google services you use,
thehackernews.com
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