Google Links Personal Files to Ads for AI Users

Google updated its privacy policy on October 16 to permit the use of personal data for advertising purposes. The change affects users who link their Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos accounts to AI Mode and other Search tools via the Personal Intelligence feature. This modification removes the company's previous absolute ban on using data from these specific services for personalized ads.

The revised terms state that Google will not use data from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos for ads unless a user chooses to make that data available to other Google services that support personalized advertising. Before this update, the policy explicitly stated that the company would not use such data for ad targeting. The new language adds a qualifier that allows this practice when users actively connect their files to AI-driven tools.

In practical terms, users who enable Personal Intelligence allow Search and Gemini apps to access their personal content to provide tailored answers. Under the new rules, this same data sharing enables advertisers to target users based on the contents of their files. Google explains that Search may process permitted data to personalize content, including the advertisements displayed to the user.

The company has outlined specific limits on how this data is used. Advertisers do not receive direct access to the contents of a user's Drive, Gmail, or Photos. They also do not receive personally identifying details such as names or email addresses. Google further stated that it will not show ads based on sensitive categories, which include race, sexual orientation, religion, and health information.

The policy text provides an example of how this personalization works. If a user searches for mountain bikes, they may later see advertisements for sports equipment on YouTube. The document notes that depending on settings, Google may show personalized ads based on interests, activity, or personalized content from various services.

Users who wish to exclude their personal data from ad targeting have specific options available. 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 individuals to manage how their file data influences the ads they see.