Apple · Apple Privacy Policy

Location Data Collection and Use

High severity
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What it is

Apple collects your precise real-time location using GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cell tower data — this is shared with Apple's partners and licensees to provide location-based services.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Apple and its partners collect your precise real-time GPS location through your iPhone or Mac when location services are enabled — you can control this per-app in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services to review and restrict location access for each app. Set apps to 'Never' or 'While Using' to limit Apple and third-party location data collection.

How other platforms handle this

Eventbrite Medium

We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from children under the age of thirteen (13). If you are under the age of thirteen (13), please do not submit any Personal Data through the Services.

Comcast Medium

To understand how we collect and use information through the Services, please read our privacy policy, available at xfinity.com/privacy/policy.

Amazon Medium

We automatically collect and store certain types of information about your use of Amazon Services, including information about your interaction with content and services available through Amazon Services. Like many websites, we use cookies and other unique identifiers, and we obtain certain types of...

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Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

Precise real-time location data is among the most privacy-sensitive information collected — it can reveal your home, workplace, religious practices, medical visits, and other sensitive patterns of behavior.

View original clause language
To provide location-based services on Apple products, Apple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. Where available, location-based services may use GPS, Bluetooth, and your IP Address, as well as crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower locations. Depending on the Apple products you use and your settings, Apple may receive precise location data.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Precise location data constitutes sensitive personal data under GDPR Art. 9 when it reveals special category information (e.g., visits to religious sites, medical facilities) and requires a lawful basis under Art. 6 — enforced by EU DPAs. CCPA/CPRA §1798.121 designates precise geolocation as sensitive personal information requiring opt-out rights. The FTC has issued guidance on mobile location data (2022 FTC Report on Commercial Surveillance) and has pursued enforcement against location data brokers. Illinois BIPA may apply if location data is combined with biometric identifiers. Washington State My Health MY Data Act covers location data revealing health information. (2)

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has active enforcement jurisdiction over mobile location data collection and has issued guidance and brought actions against companies that collect or share precise location data without adequate consent.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
BIPA
Illinois, USA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
COPPA
United States Federal
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
DMA
European Union
FCRA
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
GLBA
United States Federal
HIPAA
United States Federal
TCPA
United States Federal
UK GDPR
United Kingdom

Provision details

Document information
Document
Apple Privacy Policy
Entity
Apple
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002416
Document ID
CA-D-00024
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
36e54b8290f2d5f4441e7bfd5492920450a4d5b256d9353a74fa7946d1065115
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Apple | Document: Apple Privacy Policy | Record: CA-P-002416
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:19:48 UTC | SHA-256: 36e54b8290f2d5f4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/apple/apple-privacy-policy/location-data-collection-and-use/
Accessed: April 29, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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