Google Opens Gmail and Drive Data to Ad Targeting for AI Feature Users

Starting October 16, Google will allow personalized ads to be shaped by the contents of Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos for users who have connected these services to AI Mode. This shift affects approximately 25% of users who have opted into the Personal Intelligence feature, which lets Search and other tools draw on a person's own files to generate tailored answers. Previously, the company maintained a strict boundary, stating it would not use data from these specific storage and communication services for ad targeting. The new policy removes that blanket protection for those who explicitly choose to share their data across services.

The revision introduces a qualifier to the company's previous pledge. The updated text states that Google will not use data from Drive, Gmail, or Photos for ads unless the user chooses to make that data available to other Google services that support personalized ads. By linking their personal accounts to Search or Gemini Apps, users permit these tools to access their content for a more customized experience. Under the new terms, that same access now extends to the advertising engine. The policy explicitly notes that Search may process permitted data to personalize content, including the ads shown to the user.

Google has outlined specific limits to protect user privacy. Advertisers do not receive direct access to the files stored in a user's Drive or the messages in their Gmail. They also do not receive personally identifying details such as the user's name or email address. The company states it will not target ads based on sensitive categories, which include race, sexual orientation, religion, or health information. This framework allows for relevance in advertising while keeping the raw personal data behind a layer of abstraction.

The policy provides a concrete example of how this targeting works in practice. If a user searches for mountain bikes, Google may use that interest, along with permitted data from connected services, to show ads for sports equipment on YouTube. The document explains that personalized ads may be based on user interests, activity, or personalized content from Google services. This approach aligns with the company's broader strategy of using cross-service data to refine the user experience, though it marks a distinct change for the specific data types previously considered off-limits for ads.

Users who wish to keep their personal file contents out of the ad targeting system have two main options. They can disconnect specific apps from the Personal Intelligence features within Search settings. Alternatively, they can switch off Personalized Recommendations entirely through the Search Services Personalization settings page. These controls allow individuals to decide how much of their digital life they want to share in exchange for tailored results and advertisements.

The change was first identified by Android Authority before being confirmed in the updated privacy policy text. The revision does not affect all Google users, only those who have actively enabled the connection between their personal accounts and AI-powered Search tools. For those users, the trade-off for more accurate AI answers now includes the possibility of seeing ads influenced by the documents, emails, and photos stored in their Google accounts.