Google Is Using Data From Gmail and Drive to Target Ads, but You Can Stop It

Emily Long Emily Long Freelance Writer ExperienceEmily Long is a freelance writer based in Salt Lake City. After graduating from Duke University, she spent several years reporting on the federal workforce for Government Executive, a publication of Atlantic Media Company, in Washington, D.C. She has nearly a decade of experience as a freelancer covering tech (including issues related to security, privacy, and streaming) as well as personal finance and travel. In addition to Lifehacker, her work has been featured on Wirecutter, Tom’s Guide, and ZDNET. Emily has also worked as a travel guide around the U.S. and as a content editor. She has a masters in social work and is a licensed therapist in Utah. Read Full Bio October 27, 2026 Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google Credit: Gareth Fuller / Contributor, PA Images via Getty Images Key Takeaways Google quietly added an exception to how it handles information from Drive, Gmail, and Photos to personalize the ads you see. The privacy policy loophole means that content you don't explicitly share could still be used to inform which ads you're served. You can check whether any of your Google content apps are connected to Personal Intelligence and disable them if you'd prefer. Table of Contents If you've opted in to Google's "Personal Intelligence" feature in the hopes of receiving more tailored AI responses from Gemini, there's a good chance that more of your data than you realize is being used for targeted advertising. In a recent privacy policy update, Google quietly added an exception to how it handles information from Drive, Gmail, and Photos to personalize the ads you see—but there's a way to opt out.Google may use content from Google apps to influence targeted adsAs Android Authority reports, Google typically doesn't personalize ads based on content from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos by default. However, the policy now makes these data available for that purpose if you've connected these apps to other Google services—like Personal Intelligence—that do support personalized ads. Personal Intelligence is the opt-in Gemini feature launched earlier this year that links with other Google apps to give you more tailored, contextual responses in Gemini and Google Search's AI Mode. While this level of personalization can be useful, the privacy policy loophole means that content you don't explicitly share in search or AI interactions could still be used to inform which ads you're served. Google's privacy policy still states that it does not share personally identifiable information with advertisers, and the company has also said that it doesn't scan your inbox, photos, and files and that ads will not be based "directly on your Gmail inbox or Photos library." It's not clear how the company will handle the mismatch, but if you're at all concerned, you can choose to disconnect those apps from Personal Intelligence. You can disconnect Google apps from Personal IntelligencePersonal Intelligence is opt-in by default, but as Ars Technica points out, users are presented with opportunities to enable this feature and connect apps to it without realizing it or understanding the potential consequences of doing so. What do you think so far? You can check whether any of your Google content apps are connected to Personal Intelligence and disable them if you'd prefer. In your Google Account, tap Data & Privacy. Under Personalization & activity, select Personalization settings, then click Manage Personalized Recommendations in Search Services. Select Connected Content Apps under Additional Personal Intelligence and disconnect any apps you don't want granted access. Lifehacker has been a go-to source of tech help and life advice since 2005. Our mission is to offer reliable tech help and credible, practical, science-based life advice to help you live better. Our Mission Our Team Newsletter © 2001-2026 Ziff Davis, LLC., A ZIFF DAVIS COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Lifehacker is a federally registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of Lifehacker. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant.