Updated Google privacy policy says your Gmail might be used for advertising
Google quietly updated its privacy policy in October, opening the door to using your Gmail and Photos data for ad targeting if you have turned on its Personal Intelligence feature.
Turning on Personal Intelligence gives the company more data for ad targeting.
Google updated its privacy policy on October 16 to remove a clear promise that Gmail, Drive and Photos data would never be used for personalised ads.
The change is linked to Google's opt-in Personal Intelligence feature, which shares data across apps including Gmail and Photos with Google's AI and search tools that carry ads.
Google says ads will not be based directly on your inbox, but privacy experts note the new wording means your personal data can now indirectly shape the ads you see.
If you use Google's Personal Intelligence feature, turning it off in your account settings will stop your Gmail and Photos data being shared with Google's AI and ad systems.
Five minutes for you
More from Cuppa
US Justice Dept sues to block possible Alaska election of Democrat to SenateThe Trump administration has sued to block Alaska from certifying its Senate election result if the Republican incumbent loses, in a move election law experts say has no legal merit.
Wallaroos complete Scotland sweep as retiring Smith gets standing ovation despite redThe Wallaroos beat Scotland 38-31 to complete a three-game sweep, with retiring centre Cecilia Smith getting a standing ovation despite being sent off with a red card.
Trump cancels some Canada tariffs ahead of midtermsThe Trump administration has quietly dropped some tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods ahead of the November midterm elections, with a Republican senator in a tight race claiming credit.
Meta to delay new commercial terms criticised by publishers, advertisersMeta has pushed back the start date of its new commercial terms to 20 November after publishers and advertisers complained they hand Meta unlimited rights to their content for AI.
Gone in less than six minutes: Watch as floodwaters swallow 4WDA driver was rescued after his 4WD was swallowed by floodwater near Brisbane in under six minutes, showing just how fast things can turn deadly.
‘Black October’: cybersecurity experts sound the alarm over new era of AI-enabled hackingCybersecurity leaders are warning that AI is now finding critical flaws in internet infrastructure faster than they can be fixed, calling it a vulnerability tsunami.
Trump to exempt some Canadian products from tariffs amid midterm pressureTrump is set to scrap tariffs on some Canadian goods including farm equipment and packaging after Republican senators warned the levies were hurting their own states.
Moderna mRNA vaccine almost halves the risk of skin cancer returningA personalised mRNA vaccine cut the risk of melanoma returning by 42% in a major phase III trial, which researchers say is a remarkable result.




What readers are saying