Ireland's Data Protection Commission has fined Google €403 million following an investigation into how the company collected and processed users' location data.
The regulator says its inquiry identified a number of concerns around transparency, finding that some users may not have had a clear understanding of how location information was being gathered, stored and used across certain Google services and Android devices.
The investigation examined Google's handling of location-related settings between May 2018 and February 2020, focusing on applications including Google Search, Google Maps and location services available on Android devices.
The DPC went to Instagram to lay out the details of the €403 Million Fine.
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According to the DPC, location data has the potential to improve digital experiences by helping users access navigation, local information and personalised services. However, the regulator noted that the same information can also paint a detailed picture of an individual's habits, movements and daily routines, making it particularly sensitive from a privacy perspective.
The watchdog also raised concerns about how long certain categories of location data were retained, arguing that users should have greater clarity and control over information connected to them.
Dublin, Ireland - October 3, 2018: Website of The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is Ireland's independent supervisory supervisory authority for data protection. Photo credit: Jarretera / Shutterstock.com
Along with the financial penalty, Google has been ordered to make changes to ensure its processing of location data complies with GDPR requirements within six months.
Responding to the decision, Google said the findings relate to practices from several years ago and pointed to a range of privacy updates introduced since then. The company says it has expanded user controls, improved transparency around data collection and introduced tools that allow people to better manage or delete their information. Google is expected to appeal parts of the ruling.
