Signals · Rising · first seen November 3, 2026
Google's privacy policy now lets Gmail and Photos content shape ads once you connect them to its AI
Google's privacy policy, updated effective Oct. 16, says it does not personalize ads from Gmail, Drive or Google Photos content unless a person lets other Google services, such as Search or Gemini, use that data, The Hacker News reported. That permission comes through Personal Intelligence, a beta that connects those apps to AI Mode and Gemini for more personal answers. People can disconnect apps from it or turn off personalized recommendations in Google's Search settings.
Why it matters to a business like yours
If someone runs work email or job photos through a personal Google account and connects it to Gemini or AI Mode, what is in those messages can help pick the ads they see. Decide whether accounts used for work should connect Gmail and Photos to Google's AI, and show staff where to switch it off.
Sources
- Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be Used for Targeted Ads (The Hacker News, October 24, 2026)
History
- November 4, 2026: Rising