Guide · · 4 min read
Google’s privacy policy now says connected Gmail, Drive and Photos data can shape ads
An October 16 update adds an exception for people who connect their apps through Personal Intelligence. What changed, what Google says, and where the switch is.
For years, Google’s privacy policy carried a clear line: it didn’t show you personalized ads based on your content from Drive, Gmail or Photos. On October 16, 2026, Google updated the policy, and that sentence now has an exception. Android Authority spotted the change on October 23, and Ars Technica and 9to5Google followed.
Nothing here happens unless you’ve connected those apps. But many people have, sometimes without much thought, so it’s worth five minutes to check.
What changed
The old sentence ended after “Drive, Gmail, or Photos.” The current policy, effective October 16, now continues: “unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.” It adds that you may let services like Search or Gemini Apps access data from Photos, Gmail and Drive for a more personalized experience, and gives an example: Search may process some of that data “to personalize content, including ads.”
The way you make that data available is Personal Intelligence, a feature Google introduced earlier in 2026 that lets Gemini and AI features in Search draw on your other Google apps. Ars Technica notes that the Gemini app doesn’t currently show ads, but AI search tools can show sponsored content, so data shared there can play a part in which ads you see.
What Google says
Google told Ars Technica: “Connecting your apps is entirely opt-in. Ads will continue to be relevant to things like your query, the context of the response and your interests. Ads will not be based directly on your Gmail inbox or Photos library, and as always, sensitive information will not be used to tailor ads.” A spokesperson also said the update doesn’t change how Google handles data with advertising partners, and that it isn’t giving this data to third parties. The policy still says Google doesn’t share information that personally identifies you, such as your name or email, with advertisers unless you ask it to.
So the fair reading is narrow but real. Google isn’t scanning your whole inbox to build an ad profile. But if you’ve connected Gmail or Photos to Search, what Search learns from them can now inform the ads it shows you, and the policy says so.
Why it’s worth a look
Opt-in features are only as clear as the moment you opted in. Ars Technica points out that Google uses prompts and pop-ups to encourage people to turn on Personal Intelligence, so you may have connected your apps without realizing what else it allowed. And Android Authority notes that disconnecting an app doesn’t necessarily erase what’s already saved in your Search Services History.
What you can do
- Check whether your apps are connected. Android Authority describes the path: open your Google Account, go to Data & privacy, choose Personalization settings, then Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search Services. Under “Additional Personal Intelligence,” find Connected Content apps.
- Disconnect what you don’t want Search to use. You can turn off Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive) and Google Photos there, or turn off Personalized Recommendations on that page altogether. You can also manage connected apps from Personal Intelligence in Gemini’s settings.
- Clear what’s already saved. If you disconnect, look at your Search Services History in the same area and delete what you don’t want kept.
- Decide case by case. Connecting Gmail can make answers genuinely more useful, like finding a hotel booking. If you like that, it’s a reasonable trade. Just make it knowingly.
For the rest of your Google account, our guide to locking down your Google and Apple accounts covers passkeys, recovery options and sessions.
Sources
- Google, Privacy Policy, effective October 16, 2026
- Android Authority, Google makes a privacy policy exception to use your Gmail and Photos data for ads, October 23, 2026
- Ars Technica, Updated Google privacy policy says your Gmail might be used for advertising, October 23, 2026
- 9to5Google, Google will target ads based on Gmail, Photos data if Personal Intelligence is enabled, October 23, 2026
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About once a month. Plain-language privacy notes, nothing else. I never share your address.