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
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.
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 →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 →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 →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
Uber collects precise or approximate location data from riders' and order recipients' mobile devices when the Uber app is running in the foreground (app open and on-screen) or background (app open but not on-screen) of their device. Uber collects this data from the time a ride or order is requested ...
We collect information about your precise or approximate location as determined through data such as your IP address, GPS, and other inputs from your device, with your permission where required. We may use this information to provide, personalize, and improve our services, and for safety purposes.
Device and Connection Information. Consistent with your device or browser permissions, your device or browser automatically sends us information about when and how you install, access, or use our Services. This includes information such as your device type, operating system information, browser info...
Monitoring
Waze has changed this document before.
Receive same-day alerts, structured change summaries, and monitoring for up to 10 platforms.
"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
Netflix updated its Privacy Statement on April 18, 2026, disclosing voice recording collection and expanded household ad profiling for the first time.
Google's Privacy Policy covers Search, Gmail, YouTube, Maps, and every site running Google Analytics. Here is what it actually authorizes.
Professional Governance Intelligence
Need to monitor specific governance provisions?
Professional includes provision-level monitoring, governance timelines, regulatory mapping, and audit-ready analysis.
Built from archived source documents, structured governance mappings, and historical version tracking.
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.
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.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Waze.