Google May Use Gmail and Photos for Ads

Google has changed its privacy policy so it can now use your Gmail and Google Photos data for targeted ads. This update, found by Android Authority, adds an exception to its promise of not using your Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos for personalized ads. The new terms say that sharing your data for better AI recommendations also means opening it up for more personalized ads. This means anyone who has connected their Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools via Google’s Personal Intelligence feature may now see ads targeted on the basis of that content. Advertisers don’t get access to your Drive, Gmail, and Photos information or personally identifying details such as your name or email address, and Google won’t show you ads based on sensitive categories like race, sexual orientation, religion, or health.

Google’s privacy policy change allows it to use Gmail and Google Photos data for targeted ads. This update, found by Android Authority, adds an exception to its promise of not using your Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos for personalized ads. The new terms say that sharing your data for better AI recommendations also means opening it up for more personalized ads. This means anyone who has connected their Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools via Google’s Personal Intelligence feature may now see ads targeted on the basis of that content. Advertisers don’t get access to your Drive, Gmail, and Photos information or personally identifying details such as your name or email address, and Google won’t show you ads based on sensitive categories like race, sexual orientation, religion, or health.

If you want to prevent your personal data from being used for targeted ads, you can choose which apps you want to disconnect from Search’s Personal Intelligence features or disable Personalized Recommendations entirely via the Search Services Personalization settings page.