Google Hit with €403 Million Fine for Location Tracking Misdeeds

The Irish Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403 million for violating European Union privacy laws related to location tracking, transparency, data retention, and user privacy controls.

The investigation focused on Google's conduct between May 2018 and February 2020, revealing that the company failed to process location records lawfully, fairly, and transparently across three core tools: Web & App Activity, Location History, and Android's Location Accuracy system.

Regulators also found that Google retained user location records longer than necessary and ordered the firm to bring its practices into full compliance within six months.

DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle emphasized that location data is a type of personal data, and individuals could lose control over their sensitive personal details due to Google's failures.