Google has changed the advertising section of its privacy policy, removing a clear statement that personalized ads would not be based on content from Gmail, Drive or Photos. The replacement language leaves room for information shared with other Google services to influence advertising.
The practical link is Personal Intelligence, an opt-in feature that lets Gemini and AI Mode use data from connected Google apps to provide more tailored answers. AI search can contain sponsored material, so context drawn from connected apps may now contribute indirectly to ad selection. Gemini itself does not currently show ads.
Google disputes the broadest interpretation of the change. It says ads will not be based directly on sensitive personal content and will instead reflect factors such as the user’s query, the response context and existing interests. The company also says connecting apps is optional.
The distinction matters because a user may deliberately expose private app data to an AI feature while not expecting that resulting context to shape advertising. Anyone enabling Personal Intelligence should review which apps are connected and understand that the older categorical firewall is no longer stated in the same terms.