Google updates privacy policy to allow data usage for ad targeting

Google has amended its privacy policy to create a pathway for using user data from Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos for targeted advertising. The update, effective as of October 16, introduces an exception to the company's long-standing policy of keeping personal data from these services separate from its advertising network.

Under the new terms, users who opt to connect their data from these services to Google’s artificial intelligence tools and other personalized search features effectively consent to that information being used for ad profiling. This shift marks a notable departure from previous commitments that explicitly excluded these personal storage services from advertising use cases.

Industry observers note that the change reflects a broader trend among major technology firms to integrate personal cloud data with generative AI products. By tethering individual user insights to its advertising engines, Google aims to enhance the relevance of ads presented through its AI-driven interfaces.

This policy change highlights the evolving privacy trade-offs inherent in AI integration. Users now face a choice between accessing advanced features and maintaining the previous level of insulation for their private cloud content.