Google policy change ties AI personalization to ad targeting

Google has changed its privacy policy in a way that could affect people using personalized AI features across Search and Gemini. According to The Verge, the update means data from Gmail, Drive or Google Photos that users choose to make available for more personalized AI experiences may also be used to personalize ads.

The shift matters because it narrows a previous promise: Google had said it would not use Drive, Gmail or Google Photos content for personalized ads. The updated language, spotted by Android Authority, adds an exception when users connect those services to other Google services that support personalized ads.

What changed in Google’s privacy policy

According to The Verge, Google added new wording to its privacy policy as of October 16th. The earlier version said Google would not use content from Drive, Gmail or Google Photos for personalized ads. The new version adds an exception: that promise does not apply “unless you choose” to make data from those services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.

In practical terms, this applies when a user links services such as Drive, Gmail or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools through Google’s Personal Intelligence feature. That feature lets Google’s tools draw on more personal context to improve responses or recommendations.

The policy language cited by The Verge says users may allow services including Search or Gemini Apps to access data from other Google services, such as Google Photos and Workspace apps including Gmail and Drive, to provide a more personalized experience. It also says Search may process some allowed data to personalize content, including ads.

For users of Google Gemini, the important point is not that all Gmail or Photos data is automatically being used for ads. The issue is conditional: according to the policy wording, it depends on what services you have chosen to connect and what personalization settings are enabled.

What Google says advertisers do not get

The Verge reports that advertisers do not receive access to information from a user’s Drive, Gmail or Photos. The company also does not provide personally identifying details such as a person’s name or email address to advertisers through this process.

Google’s policy also says it will not show ads based on sensitive categories. The Verge lists examples including race, sexual orientation, religion and health.

That distinction is important, but it may not settle the privacy concern for many users. For freelancers, creators and small businesses, Gmail and Drive can contain client briefs, invoices, contracts, research, production schedules and personal correspondence. Even if advertisers do not see that underlying material, the idea that connected personal content can influence ad personalization may be enough to prompt a settings review.

Why this matters for creators and small teams

AI assistants increasingly work best when they can use context. A tool that knows your files, messages and photos can potentially give more relevant suggestions than one working from a blank prompt. Google’s policy update highlights the trade-off: more personalized AI help can come with broader use of the data you connect.

For solo operators and small companies, this is less about abstract privacy and more about workflow boundaries. If you use Gmail for client communication, Drive for drafts, or Photos for personal and professional media, you may want to decide which of those sources should be available to AI-powered Search or Gemini experiences.

This also changes how teams should think about AI adoption. Choosing an assistant is not only a question of output quality or convenience. It is also a question of what data the tool can access, how that access is governed, and whether personalization settings align with your comfort level. If you are comparing assistants, privacy controls should sit alongside features in your checklist; our ChatGPT vs Claude vs Google Gemini guide is one place to start for broader tool evaluation.

A simple internal policy can help. Teams may want to separate personal and business accounts, review which Google apps are connected to Search personalization, and avoid enabling broad access unless there is a clear benefit.

How to limit the data used for targeted ads

The Verge says users who do not want personal data used for targeted ads can disconnect selected apps from Search’s Personal Intelligence features. Users can also disable Personalized Recommendations entirely through the Search Services Personalization settings page.

The main steps to consider are:

• Review which apps are connected to Search’s Personal Intelligence features.
• Disconnect services you do not want used for AI personalization.
• Turn off Personalized Recommendations if you want a broader opt-out.
• Revisit these settings when enabling new AI features in Search or Gemini.

The broader lesson is that AI personalization settings are no longer just about better answers. In Google’s updated policy, they can also affect how ads are personalized across Google services, depending on the choices a user has made.