Google updates privacy policy to allow broader use of user data for ad targeting

Google modified its privacy policy on October 16, effectively removing a previous commitment that prohibited the company from using user content from Gmail, Drive, and Photos for ad personalization. The change replaces a clear exclusionary statement with language that grants the company more latitude in how it utilizes information gathered across its ecosystem.

Industry analysts suggest the shift is linked to the company's 'Personal Intelligence' platform, launched in early 2026. This service allows users to feed data from various Google applications into AI models to improve search and response accuracy. The updated policy suggests that data shared through these AI tools may now be leveraged to refine ad targeting profiles.

This policy change marks a departure from Google’s long-standing firewall between private user storage and its advertising engine. By integrating data across AI services and traditional service products, the company has created new avenues for internal data utilization. The move raises questions regarding how individual user data will be compartmentalized and utilized for commercial purposes moving forward.