Google updates privacy policies and child safety advertising rules

Google has implemented changes to its privacy and advertising policies. A recent update to its privacy terms briefly included an exception for Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos, which could have allowed personal data to be used for personalized advertising if users shared information with other Google services, such as through AI-powered personalization. While the specific version of the policy that allowed this usage is no longer accessible, it remains unclear whether Google permanently retracted the change or simply removed the version from public view.

Separately, Google announced a redesign of its advertising policies regarding child safety. Starting January 11, 2027, the existing policy on child sexual abuse and exploitation will be renamed “Child Safety” and moved into its own standalone category outside of the “Inappropriate Content” policy. The new structure will utilize two penalty tiers: severe violations involving sexualization or exploitation will result in immediate and permanent account termination, while other violations involving non-sexual content that could be misused will trigger a minimum seven-day warning period.