The policy authorizes collection of precise location data from GPS, IP address, Wi-Fi access points, cell towers, and Bluetooth-enabled devices, and states this data is used for service delivery and for advertising based on a user's location.
This analysis describes what Google's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes that Google collects multiple categories of location data, potentially including precise GPS coordinates as well as inferred location from network infrastructure, and authorizes use of that data for targeted advertising, subject to device and account settings.
The updated policy establishes a new opt-in mechanism that allows Google services like Search and Gemini to access data from other Google services you use, including Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive, to personalize your experience and show you targeted ads. Previously, Google's policy stated it did not show personalized ads based on content from these services. Under the revised terms, if you choose to enable this feature, Google may use data from Gmail, Photos, and Drive to personalize ads and content, including through a feature called Personal Intelligence. You can manage this through your Google account settings to control which services can access data from other services.
View change record →Google's Privacy Policy now gives an effective date of October 1, 2026, replacing May 26, 2026. One passage changed. It covers information Google collects when you are not signed in, which it stores with identifiers tied to your browser, app or device. The policy previously said this lets Google show more relevant search results or ads “based on your activity”; it now says “based on your activity across devices.”
View change record →The updated policy explicitly discloses that Google collects data when you are signed out and stores it with unique identifiers tied to your browser, application, or device. The policy also expands the types of activity it collects to include 'media (like images, files, audio and video) from your interactions,' in addition to previously listed categories. The revised language reorganizes privacy controls into 'Search Services History' and 'Web & App Activity,' and clarifies that depending on your settings, activity from services like Search, Maps, and Shopping is saved as history to your Google Account. You can manage these settings through your Google Account privacy controls, including the ability to turn off Web & App Activity or adjust Personalized Recommendations in Search services.
View change record →⚠ If device and account location settings are not adjusted, GPS, IP address, and network infrastructure location data will be collected and used for advertising and service personalization as described in the policy.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Location Data Collection and Use for Advertising and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"We collect location information when you use our services, which helps us offer features like driving directions, search results for things near you, and ads based on your location. Depending on the products you're using and settings you choose, Google may use different types of location information to help make some services and products you use more helpful. These include: GPS and other sensor data from your device IP address Activity on Google services, such as from your searches or places you label like home or work Information about things near your device, such as Wi-Fi access points, cell towers, and Bluetooth-enabled devicesExcerpt from Google's Privacy Policy
1.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Get the weekly coverage letter
Companies change their terms without announcing it. We capture governance documents, compare each new version with the last, and publish what changed, with the source text behind it. One email a week on what we found and what we could not reach.
This provision establishes that Google collects multiple categories of location data, potentially including precise GPS coordinates as well as inferred location from network infrastructure, and authorizes use of that data for targeted advertising, subject to device and account settings.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google.