Google Hit with €403M Fine for Alleged Location Data Coercion

Google has been fined €403 million ($463 million) by Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) for allegedly coercing users into agreeing to continuous mobile phone tracking. The fine is a result of an investigation that began six years ago after complaints from European consumer organizations and a 2018 study by the Norwegian consumer agency, Forbrukerrådet.

The study found that location data could disclose personal information such as religious beliefs, political affiliations, health conditions, and sexual orientation. Google's features, including Location History, Web & App Activity, and Location Accuracy, were at the center of the investigation.

The DPC concluded that users may not have been aware that their location data was being used for targeted advertising or to gather insights into their health and interests. This lack of transparency is what led to the fine.