Google Policy Shift: Personal Files Now Inform Ad Targeting

Google has altered its privacy policy to permit advertising based on the contents of personal accounts. The revision creates an exception to the company's previous pledge not to use data from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos for personalized ads. This change was first identified by Android Authority and applies to a specific subset of users who have linked their files to AI tools.

The core of the update lies in a new qualifier added to the policy text on October 16. The company now states that its commitment to avoid using file data for ads holds only unless users choose to make that data available to other Google services that support personalized ads. This shift directly impacts individuals who have connected their Drive, Gmail, or Photos accounts to AI Mode and other Search tools through the Personal Intelligence feature. The connection allows these tools to draw on a person's own content to provide tailored answers. Under the new terms, that same sharing enables advertisers to target users using that content.

Google has outlined specific limits on how this data is used. Advertisers do not receive direct access to the information held in a user's Drive, Gmail, or Photos. They also do not receive personally identifying details such as a name or email address. The company further stated it will not show ads based on sensitive categories, which include race, sexual orientation, religion, or health. The policy text explains that users may allow certain services, such as Search or Gemini Apps, to reach data from other products to provide a more personalized experience. Search may process permitted data to personalize content, including ads.

The policy describes the mechanics of this ad personalization. It notes that depending on settings, Google may show personalized ads based on interests, activity, or personalized content from its services. The company provided an example where a user searching for mountain bikes in Search might later see ads for sports equipment on YouTube. This illustrates how data permitted to flow between services can influence the advertising a user encounters across the platform.

Users who wish to keep their personal data out of ad targeting have two main options. They can select which apps to disconnect from Search's Personal Intelligence features. Alternatively, they can switch off Personalized Recommendations entirely through the Search Services Personalization settings page. These controls allow users to manage the scope of data sharing without abandoning the AI tools themselves.