This analysis describes what Google's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Ad utility determination is a stated purpose for data collection, meaning collected data is used to shape the advertising experience presented to the user.
Interpretive note: The excerpt names multiple purposes for collection; the canonical claim states the primary ad-related purpose. Other purposes (e.g., language detection, general service improvement) are recorded in omitted_material.
The updated policy establishes a new opt-in mechanism that allows Google services like Search and Gemini to access data from other Google services you use, including Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive, to personalize your experience and show you targeted ads. Previously, Google's policy stated it did not show personalized ads based on content from these services. Under the revised terms, if you choose to enable this feature, Google may use data from Gmail, Photos, and Drive to personalize ads and content, including through a feature called Personal Intelligence. You can manage this through your Google account settings to control which services can access data from other services.
View change record →Google's Privacy Policy now gives an effective date of October 1, 2026, replacing May 26, 2026. One passage changed. It covers information Google collects when you are not signed in, which it stores with identifiers tied to your browser, app or device. The policy previously said this lets Google show more relevant search results or ads “based on your activity”; it now says “based on your activity across devices.”
View change record →The updated policy explicitly discloses that Google collects data when you are signed out and stores it with unique identifiers tied to your browser, application, or device. The policy also expands the types of activity it collects to include 'media (like images, files, audio and video) from your interactions,' in addition to previously listed categories. The revised language reorganizes privacy controls into 'Search Services History' and 'Web & App Activity,' and clarifies that depending on your settings, activity from services like Search, Maps, and Shopping is saved as history to your Google Account. You can manage these settings through your Google Account privacy controls, including the ability to turn off Web & App Activity or adjust Personalized Recommendations in Search services.
View change record →YouTube Ads collects your information and uses it to decide which ads to show you based on its assessment of what you will find most useful.
How other platforms handle this
prevent and detect fraud against you and us
We may use your personal information to: provide the Service; enable security features of the Service; establish and maintain your user profile on the Service; facilitate social features of the Service...
We do not attempt to re-identify de-identified information, except as permitted or required by law.
"we collect information to provide better services to all our users — from figuring out basic stuff like which language you speak, to more complex things like which ads you'll find most usefulExcerpt from Google's Privacy Policy
We read the privacy policies and terms of service of 38 AI platforms. Here is what they say about training, retention, arbitration, and liability.
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Ad utility determination is a stated purpose for data collection, meaning collected data is used to shape the advertising experience presented to the user.
YouTube Ads collects your information and uses it to decide which ads to show you based on its assessment of what you will find most useful.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 273 platforms. See the full comparison.
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