Google’s Privacy Policy, effective October 16, 2026, says users may choose to let services such as Google Search or Gemini Apps access data from Google Photos and Workspace apps including Gmail and Drive. Its advertising example is narrower: Search may process some data it is allowed to access to personalize content, including ads. Google’s Privacy Policy makes access subject to the receiving service’s policies and settings.
What Google’s policy permits
A user can choose to make data from Gmail, Drive, or Photos available to other Google services. Google names Search and Gemini Apps as services that may access it for a more personalized experience. The policy frames this around a user’s choice and the policies and settings of the service receiving the data.
Why the ad example names Search
Google’s direct example of personalized ads is about Search: it may use some of the data it is permitted to access to personalize content, including ads. Gemini Apps are also named as a service that may access connected data, but the policy’s advertising example specifically concerns Search.
Google says it does not share personally identifying information, such as a user’s name or email, with advertisers unless the user asks it to. It also says personalized ads are not based on sensitive categories including race, religion, sexual orientation, or health. The policy describes Search using permitted data to personalize content; it does not describe advertisers reading the original emails, files, or photos.
Which account settings affect ads and connected apps?
Google identifies My Ad Center as a place to control information used for ads. Digital Trends described a separate route for managing connected content: in Google Account, go to Data & privacy → Personalization → Search Services recommendations → Connected Content Apps, then disconnect Google Workspace or Photos. Changing ad settings and disconnecting connected apps address different controls.
Digital Trends also reported that Search Services History may retain information already accessed after an app is disconnected or its source email or photo is deleted.
BrenTech’s English-language screencast walks through Google Account privacy settings and connected-content controls. It shows the presenter’s account interface, rather than serving as a Google policy statement.
