Google Penalized €403 Million by Ireland for Location Data Violations
WHO:
ABC News Tech - Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
Techmeme - Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), European consumer rights groups
WHAT:
Fast Company - The fine imposed by the Irish Data Protection Commission is approximately $462 million, based on the current exchange rate.
Fast Company - The ruling was based on how Google processed location data in three settings: "Web & App Activity," "Location History," and "Location Accuracy," which are customized based on user data.
Fast Company - The investigation into Google's handling of location data covered the timeframe between mid-May 2018 and early February 2020.
Fast Company - The fine imposed by the Irish Data Protection Commission is among the largest ever imposed by the authority.
Fast Company - The investigation into Google's handling of location data began in early 2020 and covered the timeframe between mid-May 2018 and early February 2020.
Fast Company - Graham Doyle, deputy commissioner, stated that individuals could have been unaware that their location was being used to influence them with ads or to infer their interests, leading to a loss of control over their personal data.
Fast Company - Google was ordered to bring its processing of location data into compliance within six months.
ABC News Tech - Google has been fined 403 million euros for breaching the EU's privacy rules by mishandling users' location data.
Techmeme - Ireland's DPC fined Google €403 million over how it processed location data and set a six-month compliance deadline.
WHERE:
Techmeme - Ireland
WHEN:
Techmeme - Google has been given six months to comply with the ruling.
WHY:
Fast Company - The investigation was initiated following complaints from European consumer rights groups regarding Google's processing of location data.
Techmeme - The fine was imposed after complaints from European consumer rights groups regarding how Google processed location data.
HOW:
Fast Company - Google stated that the case focuses on historical policies that have since been updated, emphasizing that they have launched robust tools to manage location data since 2019.
Fast Company - The ruling was based on how Google processed location data in three settings: "Web & App Activity," "Location History," and "Location Accuracy."
Techmeme - The fine was a result of the investigation by Ireland's DPC into Google's handling of location data.
(UPDATED September 21, 2026 18:59 UTC)
The Irish Data Protection Commission has imposed a fine of approximately $462 million on Google for how it processed location data in various settings, including "Web & App Activity," "Location History," and "Location Accuracy." This ruling follows an investigation initiated by complaints from European consumer rights groups regarding Google's handling of location data between mid-May 2018 and early February 2020. In response, Google has stated that the case pertains to historical policies that have since been updated, highlighting the robust tools they have launched to manage location data since 2019.
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(UPDATED September 21, 2026 17:58 UTC)
Google has been hit with one of the largest fines ever imposed by the Irish Data Protection Commission due to its handling of location data, following an investigation that began in early 2020. The inquiry revealed that individuals may not have been aware their location was being used to target ads or infer their interests, resulting in a loss of control over their personal data. As part of the ruling, Google has been ordered to bring its processing of location data into compliance within six months, addressing issues related to "Web & App Activity," "Location History," and "Location Accuracy."
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(UPDATED September 21, 2026 13:58 UTC)
Google has been fined 403 million euros by Ireland's Data Protection Commission for breaching the EU's privacy rules related to the mishandling of users' location data. The ruling comes after complaints from European consumer rights groups and requires Google to comply within six months. This significant penalty highlights ongoing concerns about how tech companies manage sensitive user information.