Google may use Gmail, Photos data for ads with AI features — SkimNews
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- Google updated its privacy policy on October 16 to clarify that data from Gmail, Drive, and Photos may be used for personalized ads if users allow those services to connect with AI-powered tools like Search or Gemini Apps.
- Google states that advertisers do not receive access to personal content or identifiable information, and sensitive categories such as health, race, or religion will not be used for ad targeting.
- Google explains that users who enable Personal Intelligence features in Search—allowing AI to access personal data for better recommendations—also consent to that data being used to personalize ads.
- Google allows users to opt out by disconnecting apps from Search’s Personal Intelligence features or disabling Personalized Recommendations in Search Services Personalization settings.
- Android Authority spotted the policy change, which modifies Google’s previous blanket assurance that it would not use content from Gmail, Drive, or Photos for ad personalization.
Why it matters: Users who enable Google’s AI personalization features now face a trade-off: improved recommendations come with more targeted ads based on private content. While Google limits ad access to non-sensitive data and anonymized processing, the policy shift erodes the previous bright line between personal content and advertising, increasing user risk of perceived privacy leakage without explicit, granular consent.
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