Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be Used for Targeted Ads
Google has updated its privacy policy to spell out that using personalized artificial intelligence (AI) features in Search or Gemini could allow the company to serve targeted ads to users based on their activity on other connected Google services.
Google has updated its privacy policy to spell out that using personalized artificial intelligence (AI) features in Search or Gemini could allow the company to serve targeted ads to users based on their activity on other connected Google services.
Google also notes in its revised policy that Personal Intelligence, unveiled by Google in Gemini in January 2026, allows users to connect other services like Gmail, Google Photos, and YouTube as a way to provide tailored answers in combination with their chat history preferences.
The feature is currently rolling out as a beta to eligible users over the age of 18 globally, except in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the U.K., and Nigeria.
However, that changes should users opt to share photos or emails with AI Mode and other Search tools via the Personal Intelligence feature.
In other words, if users interact with AI Mode or Gemini while Personal Intelligence is enabled, the data that informs those answers (i.e., content from Gmail or Photos) could be used as a signal to serve targeted ads.
The privacy policy aims to make it clear that feeding personal data into its AI tools could contribute to ad personalization.
Those who prefer to opt out can do so by selecting the apps they want to disconnect from Personal Intelligence or disable Personalized Recommendations entirely via the Search Services Personalization settings ( ).
Users should be mindful of the privacy trade-off when connecting their apps to enable AI features.
What happened
Google has updated its privacy policy to spell out that using personalized artificial intelligence (AI) features in Search or Gemini could allow the company to serve targeted ads to users based on their activity on other connected Google services.
Google also notes in its revised policy that Personal Intelligence, unveiled by Google in Gemini in January 2026, allows users to connect other services like Gmail, Google Photos, and YouTube as a way to provide tailored answers in combination with their chat history preferences.
The feature is currently rolling out as a beta to eligible users over the age of 18 globally, except in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the U.K., and Nigeria.
Who is affected
However, that changes should users opt to share photos or emails with AI Mode and other Search tools via the Personal Intelligence feature.
In other words, if users interact with AI Mode or Gemini while Personal Intelligence is enabled, the data that informs those answers (i.e., content from Gmail or Photos) could be used as a signal to serve targeted ads.
Why it matters
The privacy policy aims to make it clear that feeding personal data into its AI tools could contribute to ad personalization.
Those who prefer to opt out can do so by selecting the apps they want to disconnect from Personal Intelligence or disable Personalized Recommendations entirely via the Search Services Personalization settings ( ).
What security teams should do
Users should be mindful of the privacy trade-off when connecting their apps to enable AI features.
Attribution
The Hacker News: Google has updated its privacy policy to spell out that using personalized artificial intelligence (AI) features in Search or Gemini could allow the company to serve targeted ads to users based on their activity on other connected Google services.
What to watch next
Watch for revised vendor guidance, fixed versions and mitigation updates.