Google updates privacy policy to allow ad targeting using data from AI-enabled services

Google updated its privacy policy to allow targeted advertising based on data from Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive when users enable AI features such as Personal Intelligence or Search tools. The change, effective October 16, introduces an exception to the company’s prior stance that it would not use this data for personalized ads. The revised policy now states that if users choose to make data from these services available to AI-enabled Google services, that data may also be used to target ads, subject to the policies and settings of the accessing service.

The updated policy specifies that advertisers will not receive direct access to raw user data or personally identifying details such as names or email addresses. Google also claims it will not show ads based on sensitive categories including race, sexual orientation, religion, or health. The company describes the change as part of efforts to provide more personalized experiences across services like Search or Gemini Apps when users opt into data sharing.

Users retain some control: they can prevent their data from being used for targeted ads by disconnecting specific apps from Search’s Personal Intelligence features or disabling personalized recommendations entirely via the Search Services Personalization settings page. The policy update was reported by The Verge and noted by Android Authority.