Google policy links connected app data to ad personalization

Technology · First reported 23 Oct, 19:45 · Updated 22:11

Google’s revised policy says data from Gmail, Drive and Photos may inform personalized ads when users make it available to other Google services that support ads. The coverage says this can occur through opt-in Personal Intelligence features, while advertisers do not receive the underlying content.

The policy change took effect October 16 and adds an exception to the prior statement that ads were not based on Gmail, Drive or Photos content.
The exception applies when users allow data from those services to be used by other Google services that support personalized ads.
The articles connect this permission to Personal Intelligence, which lets AI features use information from connected Google apps.
The coverage says advertisers do not receive the underlying Gmail, Drive or Photos content; Google says personally identifying details are not shared without permission.
Users can review connected-app or personalized-recommendation settings to disconnect services or turn off recommendations; one article notes previously accessed data may remain in Search history.

Summary written by Lux AI from 5 articles

Key facts

Policy effective date: October 16; the year is given as 2026 in Digital Trends, while 9to5Google says October 16 without a year.
Services named: Gmail, Drive and Google Photos.
Feature associated with the change: Personal Intelligence, which can connect data across Google services.
Advertiser access: The articles say advertisers do not receive the underlying content of users’ Gmail, Drive or Photos.