Waze · Waze Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Continuous GPS and Driving Behavior Collection

High severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Recent governance activity Waze recorded 3 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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Document Record

What it is

Waze collects your precise GPS location, speed, routes, and travel times while the app is running, using this data to power navigation and to improve its maps and services.

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 establishes that precise location and detailed driving behavior data are collected continuously during app use, creating a comprehensive record of a user's physical movements and travel patterns.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium May 5, 2026

The updated policy now explicitly discloses that Waze periodically collects all phone numbers stored on your device's contact book as part of the 'find friends' feature. According to the revised term…

Medium Apr 19, 2026

The updated policy removes explicit language describing how Waze collects phone numbers from device contact books and integrates social network accounts. Previously, the policy stated that Waze would…

Medium Mar 23, 2026

The updated privacy policy now explicitly discloses that Waze periodically collects all phone numbers stored in your device's contact book as part of the 'find friends' feature. According to the poli…

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The policy states that GPS location, speed, routes, and travel time are collected during every app session; this data constitutes sensitive geolocation information that is shared with Google and third-party partners as described elsewhere in the policy.

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
    Open the Waze app, navigate to Settings, select Privacy, and review data collection options. California residents can also submit a deletion request through the in-app support channel.

How other platforms handle this

PlanetScale Medium

When you visit the Careers portion of our websites, we collect the information that you provide to us in connection with your job application. This includes but is not limited to business and personal contact information, professional credentials and skills, educational and work history and other in...

American Airlines Medium

American does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children – persons under the age of 13, or another age if required by applicable law – other than when required to comply with the law or for safety and security reasons. Due to the nature of our Services, we may collect travel i...

GOAT Medium

We may collect information about your location, including precise geolocation information, when you use our Services. We use this information to provide location-based services, such as showing you products available in your area, and for other purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

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Monitoring

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
When you use the Waze App, we collect: Location information: Waze collects your real-time location (GPS signals, device sensors, IP address, and other signals) while the App is running. This helps us provide turn-by-turn navigation and map services. We also collect information about your drives such as your speed, routes taken, and time of travel.

— Excerpt from Waze's Waze Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Precise geolocation data is classified as sensitive personal information under CCPA/CPRA, requiring a separate opt-out right for its use and disclosure beyond necessary service provision. Under GDPR, geolocation data requires an identified lawful basis; the policy cites legitimate interests and contractual performance, but the collection of granular driving behavior data may require scrutiny under the proportionality and necessity tests applicable to legitimate interests assessments. The FTC has historically scrutinized continuous location tracking in navigation contexts under Section 5 unfair or deceptive practices authority. 2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High. Continuous collection of precise GPS and driving behavior data creates significant compliance exposure under both GDPR and CCPA/CPRA. The scope of collection (speed, route, time, real-time position) constitutes a detailed behavioral profile; compliance teams must ensure that data minimization and purpose limitation obligations are satisfied and that retention periods are defined and enforced. 3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: California residents have a specific right under CPRA to limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information including precise geolocation; compliance with this right requires a functional opt-out mechanism distinct from general privacy settings. EU/EEA users are protected under GDPR Article 5 data minimization and Article 6 lawful basis requirements. Illinois users should note that while this is location data rather than biometric data, the state's general consumer privacy posture may be relevant in future legislative contexts. 4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprises using Waze for employee navigation (such as fleet management) should assess whether this collection constitutes employee monitoring under applicable labor laws in their jurisdiction, particularly in EU member states with works council requirements. Any B2B agreements incorporating Waze should address data controller/processor role allocation with respect to employee location data. 5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should confirm that the CCPA/CPRA sensitive personal information opt-out mechanism for precise geolocation is operational and prominently disclosed. GDPR legitimate interests assessments (LIAs) should be documented and available for regulatory review. Data retention schedules specific to location and driving behavior data should be reviewed against regulatory minimization requirements.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority over unfair or deceptive data practices involving consumer location tracking under Section 5 of the FTC Act.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    California's Attorney General enforces CCPA/CPRA rights including the right to limit use of sensitive personal information such as precise geolocation data.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
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

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-010883
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-010883
Captured: 2026-05-11 22:53:58 UTC
SHA-256: 20ecc6f25312a12f…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/waze/waze-privacy-policy/continuous-gps-and-driving-behavior-collection/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Built from archived source documents, structured governance mappings, and historical version tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Waze's Continuous GPS and Driving Behavior Collection clause do?

This provision establishes that precise location and detailed driving behavior data are collected continuously during app use, creating a comprehensive record of a user's physical movements and travel patterns.

How does this clause affect you?

The policy states that GPS location, speed, routes, and travel time are collected during every app session; this data constitutes sensitive geolocation information that is shared with Google and third-party partners as described elsewhere in the policy.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Waze?

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