Google adds an ads exception for connected Gmail and Photos data
Google says a subset of Gmail, Drive or Photos data may be used for ad personalization, depending on settings, when users choose to connect that content to other ad-supported Google services.
AT A GLANCE
Key points
- The exception applies only when users choose to connect content to another ad-supported Google service.
- Use for ads depends on the user’s settings.
- Google says advertisers do not receive the user’s files and sensitive categories are not used for targeting.
What is changing?
Google updated its privacy explanations on October 16. The company says it normally does not use Drive, Gmail or Google Photos data for ads, but an exception may apply when a user chooses to make that content available to another Google service that supports advertising. A note added to a Google Photos announcement says the connected subset may also be processed to show ads, depending on the user’s settings.
The change matters as features such as Personal Intelligence in Gemini and Search use context from Gmail and Photos. It does not mean an entire inbox or photo library is opened to advertisers by default; Google says it does not sell personal information and does not use sensitive categories for ad targeting.
Users should review connected apps and personalized ads separately. My Ad Center controls ad settings, while connected-content controls in the relevant Google services determine which subset of data can flow into other experiences.
Explore the original sources
Source date: 16 October 2026.
Published by AI Radar: 23 Oct 2026, 20:06 (Istanbul, UTC+3).
FOLLOW THE TOPIC
Topics and tags
Share your discovery.
Send this story to a friend.
Reader comments
What do you think about this development? Share your experience or question. Comments are published after editorial approval.
Your name/nickname and comment become public if approved. Read: Privacy notice.
Loading comments…