Google connects Gmail and Drive to ads for AI Mode users

The quiet edit to Google's privacy terms changed how a quarter of its user base sees the company's advertising model.

For years, the policy contained a simple pledge. Google promised it would not use data from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos to build personalized ads. That absolute bar stood until October 16. On that date, the text gained a specific qualifier. The commitment now holds only unless a user chooses to make data from those services available to other Google services that support personalized ads. Android Authority was the first outlet to notice the shift in the language.

This change targets people who use the Personal Intelligence feature. That tool connects Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos to AI Mode and other Search tools. The connection allows those tools to draw on a person's own content to provide tailored answers. Under the new terms, that same sharing also permits ads to be targeted using that content. The policy text explains that services like Search or Gemini Apps may reach data from other products to provide a more personalized experience. It cites an example where Search processes permitted data to personalize content, including ads. The company notes that someone who searches for mountain bikes in Search might later see ads for sports equipment on YouTube.

Google has set limits on what advertisers can see. They do not receive access to the information held in a user's Drive, Gmail, or Photos. They also do not get personally identifying details such as a name or email address. The company states it will not show ads based on sensitive categories like race, sexual orientation, religion, or health. The policy describes this as showing personalized ads based on interests, activity, or personalized content from Google services, depending on user settings.

Users who want to keep their personal data out of ad targeting have two main options. They can pick which apps to disconnect from Search's Personal Intelligence features. Alternatively, they can switch off Personalized Recommendations altogether through the Search Services Personalization settings page. The change is already in effect for those who have linked their accounts to the AI tools.

The revision reflects a wider trend in tech where convenience features trade access to personal data for better service. The specific exception in the policy means the default state for connected users has shifted. The company maintains the new rules align with its broader privacy framework while expanding the scope of what counts as shared data for ad personalization.