Overview
- Google updated its privacy policy on October 16, 2026 to say content from Gmail, Drive and Photos may be used for personalized ads when users make that data available to other Google services.
- The change is tied to Personal Intelligence, an opt-in Gemini feature that links data across Search, Gmail, Photos and Drive so AI can draw context from users’ files and messages.
- Google says advertisers will not receive personally identifying details like names or email addresses without permission and that ads will be based on queries, context and interests.
- Tech outlets flagged the new wording as vague and advised users to review Data & privacy → Personalization → Manage Personalized Recommendations to disable cross-service ad personalization if they choose.
- This reverses earlier policy language that excluded Drive, Gmail and Photos from ad personalization and could prompt more scrutiny from privacy advocates and regulators over indirect targeting based on users’ private content.