Google Slapped with €403 Million Fine Over Location Data Breaches

Google has been slapped with a hefty fine of €403 million by Ireland's Data Protection Commission for breaching the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding user location data. The penalty is the fourth-largest EU privacy fine issued by the Irish watchdog and comes after a six-year investigation into how Google handled users' location data across several services and settings.

The inquiry examined how Google processed location data from 2018 to February 2020, specifically looking at Web & App Activity, Location History, and the Android mobile operating system's Location Accuracy feature. Regulators found that Google did not lawfully or fairly process this personal data, violating GDPR rules.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle noted that location data can both benefit users by enhancing online services and harm them by revealing private information. The fine is a significant blow to Google as it continues to face scrutiny over its handling of user data under EU privacy law.