Google’s privacy policy update could let Gmail and Photos data be used for ad targeting

Google has altered its privacy policy by inserting a provision that may permit the firm to employ material from Gmail and Google Photos for advertising when users interact with its personalized AI services. The modification, initially spotted by Android Authority, introduces an exception to the historic assurance that Google would not harvest data from Drive, Gmail, or Photos for ad‑related uses.

The update targets users who activate AI functionalities that depend on personal information to generate tailored replies, including the Bard and Gemini chat assistants. According to the new wording, Google could scrutinize the content of a user’s mailbox or photo collection to make the ads displayed alongside AI‑generated outputs more pertinent.

Google presents the change as a means to “enhance user experience” through more context‑aware ads, echoing a wider industry pattern of monetizing data‑rich AI offerings. The firm maintains that any information employed for ad targeting will be handled under its current privacy protections and will not be sold to external parties.

Privacy watchdogs and regulators have long examined Google’s treatment of personal data, particularly following high‑profile probes into its data‑sharing habits. This added clause rekindles worries that the distinction between useful AI assistance and commercial exploitation is narrowing, spurring demands for more explicit opt‑out options and increased transparency.

The announcement comes as companies vie to embed generative AI into consumer offerings. Rivals like Microsoft and Apple have similarly been queried about whether their AI services could tap user data for profit. For Google, the policy tweak may open an additional revenue channel while preserving the appeal of its AI tools to users seeking highly personalized experiences.

Although Google has not disclosed an exact rollout date, it encourages users to read the revised terms and modify their privacy preferences if they want to restrict data use. Analysts will monitor the rollout to see if it provokes additional regulatory scrutiny or leads users to rethink their dependence on Google’s ecosystem for personal messaging and media storage.