Google Links AI Data to Targeted Ads — SkimNews
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- Google updated its privacy policy as of October 16, adding an exception to its previous promise not to use Drive, Gmail or Google Photos for personalized ads; Android Authority spotted the change.
- Personal Intelligence links Drive, Gmail or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools, and content shared through those connections for better recommendations can also underpin targeted ads.
- Search may process data users permit it to access to personalize content, including ads; Google’s stated example pairs a “mountain bikes” Search query with sports-equipment ads on YouTube.
- Google says advertisers do not receive Drive, Gmail or Google Photos information or personally identifying details such as names and email addresses, while ads based on race, sexual orientation, religion or health are barred.
- Personalized Recommendations can be disabled through the Search Services Personalization settings page, and users can disconnect individual apps from Search’s Personal Intelligence features.
Why it matters: For users who opt into Personal Intelligence, Google’s October 16 policy revision turns AI personalization into an ad-personalization setting: Drive, Gmail and Photos content can inform targeted ads. Advertisers still do not receive that content or identifiers, and disconnecting apps or disabling Personalized Recommendations remains available.
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