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Latest / Media, elections and online safety

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Google updates privacy policy to allow targeted ads from personal data

See how this story connects

Source: The Verge

Google updated its privacy policy, effective 16 October 2026, to add an exception to its promise not to use Drive, Gmail or Google Photos data for personalised ads. The exception applies if users choose to make data from these services available to other Google services that support personalised ads, including through the Personal Intelligence feature in AI Mode and other Search tools. Android Authority spotted the change. According to The Verge, advertisers do not get access to Drive, Gmail or Photos information or personal identifiers such as name or email address, and Google will not show ads based on sensitive categories such as race, sexual orientation, religion or health.

Why it matters

Users who have connected Drive, Gmail or Google Photos to Personal Intelligence in AI Mode and other Search tools may now see ads targeted using that content. They can disconnect individual apps from Search’s Personal Intelligence features, or turn off Personalized Recommendations on the Search Services Personalization settings page.

When
16 Oct 2026
ID
WTA-N-2026-0384
Who
Google, Android Authority

Summary by wheresthe.ai, from The Verge. Checked against the source on 25 Oct 2026.

Read the original at The Verge

Source copy: download the page as saved on 23 Oct 2026 (PDF). Also held by the Internet Archive.

Cite this story

WTA-N-2026-0384: “Google updates privacy policy to allow targeted ads from personal data.” wheresthe.ai, 16 Oct 2026. https://wheresthe.ai/d/intl-google-updates-privacy-policy-to-allow-targeted-ads-fro-2026-10/ (source: The Verge).

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