Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be Used for Targeted Ads

Summary

Google has updated its privacy policy, effective October 16, 2026, to state that personalized AI features in Search or Gemini could let it serve targeted ads based on activity in other connected Google services. The update notes that data from Gmail, Drive or Google Photos is not used for personalized ads by default, but could be used if users allow Personal Intelligence to access those services in AI Mode or Gemini.

Mitigation

Users can opt out by disconnecting the apps they do not want linked from Personal Intelligence, or by disabling Personalized Recommendations via the Search Services Personalization settings (www.google[.]com/search-personalization).

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