Google policy allows connected app data to inform ads

Google’s revised privacy policy allows information from Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos to inform personalized ads when users choose to make data from those services available to eligible Google services. The change took effect October 16, 2026, and applies to connected data, not to all users’ accounts by default. The policy retains its statement that Google does not show personalized ads based on content from the three services, but adds an exception for data users make available to other Google services that support personalized ads. The change is linked to Personal Intelligence, which lets tools such as AI Mode in Search and Gemini draw on connected apps to tailor responses and recommendations. For example, a connected Gmail account could help Search find a hotel reservation and suggest nearby restaurants. Under the revised wording, data made available for that kind of personalization may also inform ads. The policy does not detail which specific information or inferences are used for advertising, or in which services. Google says the content is not used for ad targeting by default. It also says advertisers do not directly see the contents of users’ Gmail, Drive or...