Google Faces $463 Million EU Penalty Over Location Tracking

Google has been ordered to change its location tracking practices in Europe after Ireland's privacy watchdog imposed a €403 million ($463 million) penalty. The decision concerns Google's handling of location information associated with several of its services, including Web & App Activity, Location History, and Location Accuracy.

The Irish Data Protection Commission identified violations involving the collection and retention of location data, which can be valuable for personalizing services and advertising. Graham Doyle, a deputy commissioner at the regulator, said that deficiencies in Google's practices could leave people without sufficient understanding of how their location information was being processed.

Google must address the issues within six months. The company had not immediately provided a response to the ruling. This is the fourth-biggest fine imposed by Ireland's privacy authority since it took on its prominent enforcement role under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation.