Waze removed its age restriction requiring users to be 16 or older and instead added a definition of Personal Information in the policy header. The policy also removed detailed references to social network integration and the 'find friends' feature that collected phone numbers from device contacts, while keeping the core privacy control mechanism intact. These changes simplify disclosure of how Personal Information is defined and eliminate documentation of specific data collection features that are no longer prominent or have been deprecated.
The updated policy now applies to users of any age by removing the prior 16+ requirement, but does not explicitly state whether parental consent is required for minors. The policy defines Personal Information more broadly to include location, route information, and data reasonably linked to you by Waze. The company removed documentation of the 'find friends' feature that previously collected phone numbers from device contacts, suggesting that feature is no longer active or has been redesigned. Privacy controls remain available through in-app settings where you can adjust which Personal Information Waze collects and how it is used.
The removal of the 16+ age gate without explicit replacement of parental consent or age verification language creates potential regulatory exposure under COPPA and GDPR Article 8 if minors are now permitted to use the service. The expansion of Personal Information definition and removal of specific feature disclosures (contact book collection, social network integration) change what data categories the policy acknowledges collecting and how transparent the disclosures are, affecting compliance with GDPR Article 13 transparency obligations and user understanding of data practices.
→ Review your Privacy Settings in the Waze app to adjust which Personal Information Waze collects and how it is used.
→ If you are a parent or guardian of a minor using Waze, contact Waze to confirm whether parental consent is required or recommended.
→ The expanded Personal Information definition will apply as written to all data Waze collects from your device, including location and inferred data connections.
→ If you use Waze without reviewing updated settings, Waze will collect information according to the expanded definition and new default collection practices.
→ Disputes with Waze will be resolved according to the terms in the updated policy, which no longer contains previously documented restrictions on data collection methods.
This is the 2nd significant Transparency Removal change Waze has made since ConductAtlas began monitoring.
ConductAtlas has recorded 4 material changes to this document over 107 days of monitoring (since March 2026).
Across all monitored documents, Waze has made 5 significant changes.
Eliminated explicit 16+ age requirement, now permitting any age to use services without stated parental consent requirement.
Broadened definition to include location, route information, and any data reasonably linked to user by Waze, beyond prior name and email scope.
Removed documentation of periodic phone number collection from device contacts, indicating feature deprecation or operational change.
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 policy now states that 'Personal Information' covers a broader range of data than previously disclosed, including inferred connections Waze makes to identify you.
The policy no longer explicitly prohibits minors from using the service, creating uncertainty about whether parental consent or age verification is required.
Waze removed its express 16+ age gate from the privacy policy while simultaneously removing disclosures of contact book collection and social network integration. This creates potential compliance gaps under COPPA (which applies to services directed to children under 13), GDPR Article 8 (age verification and parental consent for EU minors), and UK ICO guidance on child data protection. The policy now defines Personal Information more expansively but provides fewer details on specific collection mechanisms. Organizations using Waze services or integrating Waze data should review whether their own privacy notices and parental consent flows remain accurate and compliant given the changed age applicability and removed feature documentation.
COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, 16 CFR Part 312) if the service is directed to or knowingly collects data from children under 13; GDPR Article 8 (parental consent for minors) and GDPR Article 13 (transparency requirements) for EU and EEA users; UK Data Protection Act 2018 and ICO guidance on age assurance and child protection; state privacy laws (CCPA, Virginia VCDPA, etc.) regarding minor data collection.
Full compliance analysis
Obligation analysis, escalation trigger, board language, and recommended action.
Monitor: regulatory citations + obligations. Compliance: 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-003574.
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