Google Policy Allows Potential Ad Targeting From Gmail and Photos Data

What changed

Google updated its privacy policy on October 16 to add a new exception covering Gmail, Google Photos and Google Drive. Users may choose to make data from those services available to other Google services that support personalized ads, particularly when using personalized AI features.

Why it matters

The wording changes the boundary around some of Google’s most personal services. Data that was previously covered by a straightforward promise not to use it for personalized ads can now be shared for that purpose if a user enables the relevant option.

That does not mean Google has started targeting ads with this data. The important shift is that the policy now leaves room for it. The unclear part is which services or user actions would activate the exception, and whether it will produce any measurable change in advertising.