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The Google privacy policy now says data from Gmail, Drive and Photos may shape the ads you see. But that only happens if you connect those apps to other Google services. The change took effect on October 16, 2026. Here is what the new wording says, who is affected and how to turn it off in a few minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Google’s updated privacy policy took effect on October 16, 2026, and Android Authority first spotted the change.
- The old line said Google does not show personalized ads based on your content from Drive, Gmail or Photos.
- The new line adds an exception: “unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.”
- The change is tied to Personal Intelligence, an opt-in feature that links your apps to Gemini and AI Mode in Search.
- You can disconnect Gmail, Drive and Photos in your Google Account under Data & privacy settings.
What Changed in the Google Privacy Policy
For years, Google made a simple promise about its personal apps. “We don’t show you personalized ads based on your content from Drive, Gmail, or Photos,” the policy said, according to Ars Technica.
The sentence now goes further. The current Google privacy policy reads: “We don’t show you personalized ads based on your content from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos, unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads.”
In other words, the default has not changed. However, there is now a clear path for that data to affect ads.
The New Example Google Gives
The policy also explains how this works in practice. “For example, Search may process some of the data that you allow Search to access to personalize content, including ads,” it says, as quoted by The Verge.
Why the Google Privacy Policy Change Matters
The key is a feature called Personal Intelligence. Google released it in early 2026, Ars Technica reported. It lets you hand data from several apps to Google’s AI tools, such as the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search.
The goal is better answers. For instance, AI Mode can give more personal results when it knows more about you. But the same connection now opens a door for ads.
The Gemini app does not currently show ads, Ars said. Still, you may see sponsored content in AI search tools. So if you use AI Mode with your apps connected, data from those apps could help decide which ads you see.
What Google Says
Google says the update is a clarification, not a new way of handling your data. Here is the company’s full statement, as shared with 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 Google spokesperson also told Ars the company is not scanning your entire inbox to build an ad profile. It is also not giving this data to third parties.
What Advertisers Can and Cannot See
This part of the policy has not changed. Advertisers do not get access to your Drive, Gmail or Photos content, The Verge reported. They also do not get identifying details such as your name or email address.
In addition, Google says it will not show you ads based on sensitive categories. Those include race, religion, sexual orientation and health.
Even so, some critics are uneasy. Ars Technica noted that Google uses prompts and pop-ups to encourage people to turn on Personal Intelligence. As a result, you may have switched it on without realizing it.
Who Is Affected
You are most likely affected if all of these are true:
- You use a personal Google Account.
- You turned on Personal Intelligence or connected apps to Gemini or Search.
- You use AI Mode or other Search tools that can show sponsored content.
If you never connected your apps, the old rule still applies. Your Gmail, Drive and Photos content should not be used for personalized ads.
How to Opt Out: Step-by-Step
Turning this off takes only a few minutes. There are two main routes.
Option 1: Through Gemini
Open the Gemini settings for Personal Intelligence. Then disable the apps you have connected. Ars Technica calls this the easiest method.
Option 2: Through Your Google Account
Follow these steps, based on guidance from Ars Technica and 9to5Google:
- Go to your Google Account page and select Data & privacy.
- Choose Personalization settings.
- Select Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search services.
- Open Connected Content Apps.
- Turn off the connections to Google Workspace (Gmail and Drive) and Google Photos.
You can also turn off Personalized Recommendations completely. To do so, use the Turn off button on the same page.
Check Your Ad Settings Too
For extra control, review My Ad Center in your Google Account. There you can see why you get certain ads and turn personalized ads off.
Should You Worry?
It depends on how much you value AI features. If you like personal answers from Gemini, connecting your apps can help. On the other hand, you are trading more data for that help.
The practical step is simple. Check your settings once and decide on purpose. That way, the choice is yours and not a pop-up’s. If you want to put AI tools to work for you instead, see our list of AI side hustles you can do from home. If you are weighing other tech moves this season, read our take on Meta’s Muse Spark and running AI models on your own Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google reading my Gmail to show me ads?
Not by default. Google says ads “will not be based directly on your Gmail inbox.” However, if you connect Gmail to services that support personalized ads, that data can play a role.
When did the Google privacy policy change?
The updated Google privacy policy took effect on October 16, 2026.
What is Personal Intelligence?
It is an opt-in Google feature launched in early 2026. It lets Gemini and AI Mode in Search use data from apps like Gmail, Drive and Photos.
Do advertisers see my emails or photos?
No. Advertisers do not get your Drive, Gmail or Photos content, or details like your name and email address.
How do I stop my data from being used for ads?
Disconnect your apps in Gemini’s Personal Intelligence settings. Or go to Data & privacy, then Personalization settings, then Connected Content Apps in your Google Account.
Sources
- Updated Google privacy policy says your Gmail might be used for advertising (Ars Technica)
- Google Privacy Policy (Google)
- Now Google says it might use your Gmail and Google Photos data to target ads (The Verge)
- Google will target ads based on Gmail, Photos data if Personal Intelligence is enabled (9to5Google)
