Google Slapped with €403m Fine for Location Data Practices
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has fined Alphabet's Google €403m for processing users' location data in an unlawful, unfair, and non-transparent manner.
The fine totals approximately $463m at current exchange rates and is the result of a statutory inquiry that began in February 2020. The DPC investigated three Google features, Web & App Activity, Location History, and Location Accuracy, from May 25, 2018, to February 4, 2020.
The regulator concluded that Google's retention of location data for longer than necessary 'aggravated' users' loss of control over their personal information. Graham Doyle, DPC deputy commissioner, stated that this practice was 'unlawful, unfair and non-transparent.'
Google has since overhauled its approach to location data and claims it has launched robust tools for managing the data. However, a spokesperson said the company will appeal the fine.