Google · Google Privacy Policy

Precise Location Data Collection

High severity
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What it is

The types of location information we collect depend in part on your device and account settings. For example, you can turn your Android device's location on or off using the device's settings app. You can also turn on Location History if you want to create a private map of where you go with your signed-in devices. And if Location History is on, our products may use it along with other information, to provide and improve a variety of services.

Why it matters

Your precise physical movements — where you live, work, worship, receive medical care, or engage in political activity — can be inferred from location history, making this one of the most sensitive data categories Google collects.

Consumer impact

Google collects an exceptionally broad range of personal data — including precise location, voice and audio recordings, search and browsing history, app usage, and inferred characteristics like health interests and political views — across all its services and combines them into a unified profile used primarily for targeted advertising. This means even routine activities like searching, watching YouTube, or using Google Maps contribute to an advertising dossier that follows you across the web, including on non-Google websites through the Google Display Network. You can review, edit, or delete your data by visiting myaccount.google.com and managing your Activity Controls, Location History, and Ad Settings.

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 myaccount.google.com, select 'Data & Privacy', then 'Location History', and either pause Location History for future data or select 'Delete all Location History' to remove existing records. You can also set auto-delete to 3 or 18 months.

Applicable agencies

  • State AG
    State Attorneys General have demonstrated active enforcement against Google's location tracking practices, as evidenced by the 2022 $391.5M multi-state settlement involving 40 AGs.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Google Privacy Policy
Entity
Google
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002358
Document ID
CA-D-00015
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
7ae2c5414225f559d94f625194b17341f89b75a40ea396c34fd6aba669517459
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Google | Document: Google Privacy Policy | Record: CA-P-002358
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:40:05 UTC | SHA-256: 7ae2c5414225f559…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google/google-privacy-policy/precise-location-data-collection/
Accessed: April 16, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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