Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be Used for Targeted Ads

Google's updated privacy policy clarifies that opting into personalized AI features within Google Search or Gemini Apps involves a user choice to share data from other Google services. This means, for example, that content from a user's Gmail or Google Photos could be accessed by these AI tools if permission is granted.

The core implication, based on Google's statement as reported, is that data shared under this opt-in arrangement could then be leveraged for targeted advertisements. This introduces a potential link between a user's personal content, their interaction with Google's generative AI, and the advertising ecosystem.

While Google specifies that users "may choose" to allow this access, the provided reporting does not detail the specific mechanisms or conditions under which such shared data would or would not be used for ad targeting. It highlights the potential consequence of enabling AI features with broader data access, rather than defining the certainty or scope of ad-related use.