Provision record
Waze · Waze Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Carpooling Feature Contact Data Access

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicit document language Common · 290 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

If you use the Waze Carpooling feature, the app may access your phone's contact list and collect detailed trip information including your exact pick-up and drop-off locations and any messages exchanged between you and your driver or rider.

This analysis describes what Waze'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

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision authorizes access to contact lists and collection of communications content as a condition of using the Carpooling feature, extending data collection beyond navigation use to include third-party personal data (your contacts) and interpersonal communications.

Interpretive note: The policy does not specify the legal basis under GDPR for processing personal data of contacts who are not Waze users, creating ambiguity about compliance with GDPR's lawful basis requirements for third-party data.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jul 9, 2026

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of the 'find friends' feature that previously collected phone numbers from device contacts, suggesting that feature is no longer active or has been redesigned.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.

View change record →

Clause Stability Mostly Stable

1
Change
5
Months Monitored
May 12, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 5149 other provisions on other platforms.
This clause has changed once in 5 months of monitoring.

Change history

added Jul 9, 2026

New provision disclosing that carpooling functionality requires access to user contacts and collects sensitive trip endpoints and rider-driver communications not previously detailed.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users who enable Carpooling consent to Waze accessing their contacts list (which contains information about people who may not themselves be Waze users) and collecting pick-up and drop-off addresses and driver-rider communications; users who do not use Carpooling are not subject to this provision.

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
    If you no longer use Carpooling, go to your device's Settings, find App Permissions for Waze, and revoke Contacts access. Then review and delete any Carpooling trip data through the Waze app Settings > Privacy menu.

How other platforms handle this

Google Cloud Medium

Your organization may allow you to access and export your data in order to back it up or transfer it to a service outside of Google.

ClickUp Medium

If you are an end user in a Workspace not owned by you and wish to update, delete, or receive any information we have about you, you may do so by contacting the organization who owns your ClickUp Workspace.

Square Medium

to request that your data be transferred to a third party (data portability)

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
If you choose to use the Carpooling feature, we may access your contacts list to help you connect with other users. We may also collect information about your trips, including pick-up and drop-off locations, travel times, and communications between drivers and riders.

Excerpt from Waze's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Access to a user's contact list involves processing personal data of third parties (the contacts) who have not provided consent to Waze, which raises GDPR compliance questions regarding lawful basis for processing …

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US
VPPA
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
Waze Privacy Policy
Entity
Waze
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 11, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-010885
Document ID
CA-D-00323
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
20ecc6f25312a12f14c0e0f1ef34ac6de707e4dff155d666a54730feec8142c3
Analysis generated
May 11, 2026 22:53 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Waze
Document: Waze Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-010885
Captured: 2026-05-11 22:53:58 UTC
SHA-256: 20ecc6f25312a12f…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/waze/waze-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-010885/carpooling-feature-contact-data-access/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Waze's Carpooling Feature Contact Data Access clause do?

This provision authorizes access to contact lists and collection of communications content as a condition of using the Carpooling feature, extending data collection beyond navigation use to include third-party personal data (your contacts) and interpersonal communications.

How does this clause affect you?

Users who enable Carpooling consent to Waze accessing their contacts list (which contains information about people who may not themselves be Waze users) and collecting pick-up and drop-off addresses and driver-rider communications; users who do not use Carpooling are not subject to this provision.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Waze?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Waze.