Waze · Waze Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Continuous Precise GPS Location Collection

High severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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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)

Continuous location collection enables Waze to provide real-time traffic data, route optimization, and navigation services. The background collection capability allows the service to maintain location awareness even when the application is not actively displayed, supporting features that depend on continuous position tracking.

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 terms, these phone numbers are collected in a form that is initially anonymous to Waze and are used to help create a list of other Waze users you may know. The policy clarifies that names, addresses, and other contact information are not collected from your phone book, though such information may be saved locally on your device for local searches. Additionally, the updated terms now explicitly authorize connecting your Waze account to social network accounts and sharing profile information from those networks. You can control whether to use the 'find friends' feature and whether to connect social network accounts to your Waze account.

View change record →
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 'periodically collect all of the phone numbers which are stored on your device's phone contacts book' and described how this information was used for the 'find friends' feature. The revised policy no longer includes these specific disclosures. This does not necessarily mean the practices have stopped, but it means the policy provides less transparency about what data Waze collects from your device and how it uses contact information. Users who relied on these detailed descriptions to understand Waze's data practices will find the updated policy less explicit on these points.

View change record →
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 policy, this information is collected in an anonymous form to Waze and is used to identify other Waze users you may know. The terms also clarify that social network information can be shared with Waze and other users if you choose to connect your social network account. While the policy states that names, addresses, and other contact book information are not collected, some contact information may be saved locally on your device for local search purposes. You can control whether this feature operates by not using the 'find friends' feature or by not granting the app contact access through your device settings.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
May 11, 2026
First Seen
May 11, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 967 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users operating the Waze application authorize the automatic collection of precise GPS location data under the terms stated. The scope of collection extends to background operation if device-level permissions permit, meaning location data collection continues beyond active app use unless users modify device permission settings or cease app operation.

How other platforms handle this

Snapchat Medium

We collect information about your approximate and precise location. If you permit us to do so, we can collect your precise location from your device. We also use your IP address to determine your general location. You can use Snap Map to share your location with your friends and to see the locations...

Microsoft Azure Medium

Location data. Data about your device's location, which can be either precise or imprecise. For example, we collect location data using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g., GPS) and data about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. Location can also be inferred from a device's IP address...

TikTok Medium

We also collect information about your approximate location based on your device and network information, such as SIM card region, IP address, and device system settings. We also collect information, such as tourist attractions, shops, or other points of interest, if you choose to add the location t...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
When you use the Waze App, we collect your precise geographic location, including real-time GPS location data. We collect this data when the Waze App is running in the foreground (app open and on-screen) and, depending on your device permissions, in the background (app minimized or not in use).

— Excerpt from Waze's Waze Privacy Policy

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-010770
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-010770
Captured: 2026-05-11 22:53:58 UTC
SHA-256: 20ecc6f25312a12f…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/waze/waze-privacy-policy/continuous-precise-gps-location-collection/
Accessed: July 4, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Waze's Continuous Precise GPS Location Collection clause do?

Continuous location collection enables Waze to provide real-time traffic data, route optimization, and navigation services. The background collection capability allows the service to maintain location awareness even when the application is not actively displayed, supporting features that depend on continuous position tracking.

How does this clause affect you?

Users operating the Waze application authorize the automatic collection of precise GPS location data under the terms stated. The scope of collection extends to background operation if device-level permissions permit, meaning location data collection continues beyond active app use unless users modify device permission settings or cease app operation.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Waze?

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