Google Activates Policy Linking Inbox and Photo Data to Search Ads

Google revised its privacy policy to allow content from Gmail, Drive, and Photos to influence the advertisements users see. The change took effect on Oct. 16, one week before this report. It is directly tied to the company’s Personal Intelligence feature.

Android Authority first identified the update, with The Verge later reporting on the details. Earlier versions of the policy stated that personalized ads were not based on user content from Drive, Gmail, or Photos. The new text adds an exception to that rule. Personalized ads are not based on that content "unless you choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalized ads."

The option described in the policy appears to be the activation of Personal Intelligence for a user’s account. This feature began rolling out in beta at the start of the year. It allows Gemini to draw on data shared among Google apps, including Gmail, Photos, Search, and Drive.

The policy outlines how this mechanism works in practice. Users can permit specific Google services, such as Search or the Gemini apps, to access data from other services they use. This includes Photos and Workspace applications like Gmail and Drive. In exchange, users receive a more personalized experience. The policy notes that Search may process some of this accessible data to personalize content, including ads.

Google has not stated that it is sharing the full contents of a user’s inbox, cloud storage, or photo library with advertisers. However, the revised language permits ads to be targeted using that connected content within platforms like Search. The company’s position on identifying details remains unchanged. Advertisers will not see personally identifying information, such as a user’s name and email address, without explicit permission. This language matches earlier versions of the policy.

Personal Intelligence remains an opt-in feature. Users can review their account settings by opening the Data & privacy section of the My Account page. They should choose Personalization settings and select Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search services. That page includes a Turn off button that disables personalized recommendations entirely.