Google · Meta · The Guardian Technology
Google fined more than €400m by Irish regulator over its tap of location data
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Google has been fined more than €400m (£345m) over the way it processed users’ location data, following claims that the tech giant had manipulated users into agreeing to be constantly tracked on their mobile phones.
Key facts
- The DPC inquiry looked at “web and app activity”, “location history” and “location accuracy” between 25 May 2018 and 4 February 2020 — It has previously fined Meta €1.2bn, TikTok €530m and Instagram (also Meta owned) €405m
- Imposing a fine of €403m, the DPC ordered Google to bring its processing into compliance with the EU’s general data protection regulation (GDPR) within six months
- Google has been fined more than €400m (£345m) over the way it processed users’ location data, following claims that the tech giant had manipulated users into agreeing to be constantly tracked
Summary
The fine, imposed by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), comes after complaints from multiple European consumer organisations that Google was following every step users took. Location-related adverts are familiar to holidaymakers, but seven European consumer organisations had complained that undue use of location data can also lead to a breach of privacy.