Waze updated its privacy policy on March 23, 2026 to add explicit disclosures about social network integration and the 'find friends' feature. The updated terms now specifically describe how the app collects phone numbers from a device's contact book, how social network information may be shared, and how phone numbers are used for account verification and friend discovery. The policy also made minor wording clarifications in the personal information definition and location data collection language.
The updated privacy policy now explicitly discloses that Waze periodically collects all phone numbers stored in your device's contact book as part of the 'find friends' feature. According to the policy, this information is collected in an anonymous form to Waze and is used to identify other Waze users you may know. The terms also clarify that social network information can be shared with Waze and other users if you choose to connect your social network account. While the policy states that names, addresses, and other contact book information are not collected, some contact information may be saved locally on your device for local search purposes. You can control whether this feature operates by not using the 'find friends' feature or by not granting the app contact access through your device settings.
The updated policy establishes explicit disclosures of two data practices that were previously unstated or unclear: periodic collection of phone numbers from device contact books and optional social network data sharing. This change affects transparency about what data Waze collects and how it is used, and may influence users' understanding of what contact and social information is accessible to the app. The disclosures also create potential clarity for regulatory compliance, as contact collection now has stated scope and purpose rather than being undisclosed.
→ Review the updated privacy policy sections on 'Find friends feature' and 'Integration with social networks' to understand what contact and social data is collected
→ If you do not want phone numbers collected from your device contacts, do not use the find friends feature or disable contact access in your device settings
→ Review your social network account connections in Waze to understand what information is shared if you have connected social accounts
→ Phone numbers from your device contact book will be collected periodically if you use the find friends feature, as stated in the updated policy
→ If you have connected your social network accounts to Waze, the profile and personal information you shared on those platforms may be shared with Waze and other users as stated in the updated policy
→ The terms will apply as written, and your continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of these disclosures
Policy now explicitly discloses periodic collection of phone numbers from device contact book, stating they are collected in anonymous form and used to identify other Waze users.
Policy now explicitly describes that users may connect social network accounts and choose to share profile photos and personal information from those accounts with Waze and other users.
Language narrowed from 'planned or predicted drives' to 'planned drives' when describing when location may be collected while app is inactive.
This change record describes what was added, removed, or modified in the document. Analysis reflects what the updated agreement states or permits. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Applicability may vary by jurisdiction. Methodology
The privacy policy now explicitly tells you that Waze collects phone numbers from your contacts to help match you with other Waze users you may know.
Waze's privacy policy now explicitly documents two previously undisclosed or underspecified data practices: periodic collection of phone numbers from device contact books for the 'find friends' feature, and optional social network data sharing. The contact collection represents a material new disclosure that may engage GDPR Article 6 (lawful basis for processing), CCPA requirements (consumer notice and opt-out), and COPPA considerations if minors are present. The policy states phone numbers are collected 'anonymously to Waze' but later states the phone number is used for account verification and friend discovery, creating potential ambiguity about anonymity claims. Organizations using Waze should assess whether these disclosures are sufficiently clear in their own privacy notices if Waze is named as a processor or integrated service, and whether their data processing agreements with Waze adequately address contact book collection.
GDPR (Article 6 - lawful basis; Article 13/14 - transparency; Article 9 if location data is considered special category), CCPA (Section 1798.100 - consumer right to know), COPPA (16 CFR Part 312 if users under 13 are present), FTC Act Section 5 (unfair or deceptive practices if contact collection was not previously disclosed)
Full compliance analysis
Obligation analysis, escalation trigger, board language, and recommended action.
Watcher: regulatory citations + obligations. Professional: full compliance memo.
ConductAtlas provides verified policy intelligence sourced directly from platform documents. All analysis is intended to support, not replace, legal and compliance review. Record CA-C-001153.
See the full side-by-side comparison of every sentence added, removed, and modified.
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