Google permits ad use of personal file data

Google revised its privacy terms to permit advertising based on the contents of users' Gmail, Drive, and Google Photos accounts. The company introduced an exception to its previous promise not to use data from these services for personalized ads. This change applies specifically to individuals who have linked these products to Search tools via the Personal Intelligence feature.

The policy shift took effect on October 16. Prior to this date, the terms stated that Google would not use Drive, Gmail, or Photos data for personalized advertising. The updated language adds a qualifier: the commitment holds unless users choose to make this data available to other Google services that support personalized ads. This creates a direct link between the act of connecting accounts for better answers and the potential for more targeted marketing.

The feature allows Search and other tools to draw on a person's own content to provide tailored recommendations. Under the new terms, this same data sharing enables advertisers to target users based on that content. Google states that advertisers do not receive direct access to the files or personally identifying details like names and email addresses. The company also specifies that it will not display ads based on sensitive categories such as race, sexual orientation, religion, or health.

The policy text explains that users may allow services like Search or Gemini Apps to access data from Photos and Workspace apps. This access is intended to provide a more personalized experience subject to the settings of the accessing service. An example in the document notes that Search may process permitted data to personalize content, including ads. The text further illustrates that users searching for mountain bikes in Search might later see ads for sports equipment on YouTube based on their interests and activity.

Users who wish to keep their personal data out of ad targeting have specific options to do so. 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 the flow of their data between Google products and advertising systems.

The revision was first noticed by Android Authority. The change affects those who have actively connected their personal files to AI Mode and other Search tools. By opting into the feature for better answers, users now consent to the possibility that their file contents may influence the ads they see across Google's ecosystem.