Google has updated its privacy policy to clarify that personal information shared with its artificial intelligence tools, including AI Search and Gemini, could influence targeted advertisements. The revised policy, effective October 16, 2026, explains how data accessed from connected services such as Gmail, Google Photos and Drive may contribute to advertising personalisation when users enable relevant permissions.
The company maintains that personal content from these services is not used for targeted advertising by default. However, users who allow information sharing across Google applications could see that data influence personalised advertisements.
What Has Changed?
Google’s revised policy states that services such as Search and Gemini Apps may access information from other Google products when users grant permission.
The company explains that Search may process certain authorised information to personalise content, including advertisements.
The clarification establishes how personal information shared with AI-powered services could also support advertising personalisation.
Can Gmail Data Influence Ads?
Google says content stored in Gmail, Drive and Google Photos does not automatically determine personalised advertisements. However, this protection may change when users explicitly allow other Google services to access information from these applications.
For instance, information shared with AI Search or Gemini could potentially become an advertising signal when Personal Intelligence and relevant data-sharing permissions are enabled.
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How Does Personal Intelligence Work?
Google introduced Personal Intelligence in Gemini in January 2026 to deliver responses using information from connected applications.
The feature allows users to link Gmail, Google Photos and YouTube, combining information from these services with their conversation history and preferences.
It is currently being introduced in beta for eligible adults, excluding users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
What Are the Privacy Concerns?
The policy clarification raises questions about the boundaries between AI assistance and commercial advertising.
Information originally shared to receive personalised AI responses could also influence advertising recommendations under certain settings.
Although Google distinguishes between default privacy protections and user-authorised sharing, the changes highlight the importance of understanding how connected applications exchange personal information.
Can Users Disable Data Sharing?
Google provides options for managing connected applications and personalisation settings.
Users can disconnect applications from Personal Intelligence or disable personalised recommendations through Search Services Personalisation settings.
These controls allow individuals to restrict how information from connected Google services contributes to personalised experiences.
How Is AI Advertising Expanding?
Advertising is also becoming part of the wider AI industry. In January 2026, OpenAI began displaying advertisements to logged-in adult users in the United States on its Free and Go plans.
OpenAI maintains that advertisements are separate from chatbot responses, do not influence answers and do not give advertisers access to private conversations.
What Does This Mean?
Google’s revised policy highlights how personal information shared with AI assistants may influence digital advertising. While Gmail and Photos content remains excluded from advertising personalisation by default, enabling cross-service permissions could change how that information is used. Users should review their privacy settings before connecting personal accounts to AI tools.
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