Google Fined for Breaching EU Privacy Rules

Google has been fined 403 million euros ($463 million) for violating the European Union’s privacy regulations. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced the penalty due to Google’s inappropriate handling of users’ location data.

The investigation found that Google’s Web & App Activity setting, which tracks browsing and search history, and the Location History service did not process location data lawfully or fairly. Additionally, Google’s processing of personal data in the Android mobile operating system’s Location Accuracy feature was deemed neither lawful, fair, nor transparent.

As Google’s European headquarters is based in Dublin, the Irish commission acts as the lead regulator for Google within the EU. The inquiry, initiated six years ago, assessed Google’s adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) from 2018 to February 2020.

“This case centers around historical policies that have since been updated,”

Google stated, mentioning improvements post-2019 with new tools for managing location data more effectively.

Regulators emphasized that location data is personal information that Google collects, which can pinpoint an individual’s whereabouts.

“Location data can bring both benefits and harms to individuals,”

Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle noted, highlighting its potential to enhance online services, but also its capacity to expose private information.

This fine is the fourth largest privacy penalty imposed by the Irish regulator, which has previously issued substantial fines to TikTok and Meta, including a record 1.2 billion euro fine for Meta.

The watchdog noted that it continues to conduct three other privacy investigations related to Google.