GoKawiilIreland's DPC fines Google €403 million over location data practices
Ireland's Data Protection Commission concluded a five-year inquiry into how Google Ireland handled location data across Web & App Activity, Location History and Location Accuracy features between 2018 and 2020. The regulator found multiple GDPR violations spanning lawfulness, transparency, accountability and data retention, and has fined the company €403 million while giving it six months to fix its practices.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This ranks among the largest GDPR penalties issued against a US tech giant, underscoring how EU regulators continue scrutinizing default data-collection settings that many users never consciously enable. The case reinforces that transparency and minimal retention aren't optional add-ons but core legal requirements, potentially forcing Google to redesign how it discloses and stores sensitive location tracking data across its products.
- DPC's inquiry, launched in 2020 after consumer complaints, targeted three specific Google location-tracking features.
- Violations include lack of transparency, weak lawfulness justification, and excessive data retention practices.
- Google must overhaul its compliance within six months or face further regulatory action.
Google Pixel 8 Pro — If location privacy is on your mind after this ruling, the Pixel 8 Pro gives you granular Android controls to manage Location History, Web & App Activity, and location accuracy settings directly on-device. It's a great way to take charge of your own data footprint while enjoying a top-tier Google phone experience.
See Google Pixel 8 Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: dataprotection.ie, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “Data Protection Commission fines Google €403M over processing of location data”
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