Google Updates Privacy Policy to Allow Ad Personalization Using Sensitive Data
··2 min read
Google has updated its privacy policy to allow the use of sensitive data from services such as Gmail, Drive, and Photos for targeted advertising. The change, effective October 16, removes previous restrictions that explicitly prohibited the use of this data for ad personalization. The updated policy now includes language that permits the use of data from these services when shared with other Google products, potentially impacting user privacy.
The revision comes as Google introduced Personal Intelligence, a feature launched in early 2026 that allows users to share data from multiple apps with Google AI products. This feature aims to enhance AI responses by providing additional context from user data, but it has raised privacy concerns. Critics argue that the updated policy opens the door to more intrusive data practices, as it allows Google to leverage sensitive information for ad personalization.
Google has historically maintained that sensitive data from its core services would not be used for advertising purposes. The change in policy marks a significant shift, as it now permits the integration of data from these services with other Google products for ad targeting. This could mean that information from emails, documents, and photos could potentially influence the ads users see across Google's platforms.
The updated privacy policy was first noted by Android Authority, highlighting the shift in Google's approach to data usage. The change has sparked discussions about user privacy and the extent to which personal data should be used for commercial purposes. Google's move to integrate data from its core services with AI products for better personalization has been met with both interest and concern from users and privacy advocates alike.
CONTEXT: Google's updated privacy policy allows the use of sensitive data from services like Gmail for targeted advertising, raising concerns about user privacy and data protection. This change comes as Google introduces Personal Intelligence, a feature designed to enhance AI responses by integrating data from multiple apps. The move highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between personalization and privacy in the digital age.
