Google Slapped with $463 Million Fine for Location Data Tracking

Google has been fined €403 million (approx $463 million) by Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) for manipulating users into agreeing to be constantly tracked on their phones. The fine relates to how Google processed users' location data, following complaints that the company failed to process it lawfully and fairly.

The penalty follows a six-year investigation triggered by complaints from seven European consumer organisations, including Norway's Forbrukerrådet. They argued that excessive use of location data can breach users' privacy.

Researchers first raised the alarm on Google's location tracking practices in 2018, suggesting location data could reveal sensitive details such as religious beliefs, political leanings, health conditions and sexual orientation.

The DPC concluded that Google had breached GDPR on multiple fronts, particularly with its 'Web & App Activity,' 'Location History,' and 'Location Accuracy' features. The regulator said users could have been unaware their location was being used to influence them with ads or to infer details about their health and interests.