The policy states that Waze may collect location and travel data even when the app is not actively in use, subject to device and account settings, for purposes including drive predictions, traffic notifications, and parking assistance.
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
This provision establishes that location data collection is not limited to active app sessions; the scope of collection depends on device-level permissions and account settings, which users must actively manage to restrict.
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of the 'find friends' feature that previously collected phone numbers from device contacts, suggesting that feature is no longer active or has been redesigned.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 →Under this clause, Waze may collect location information continuously in the background depending on how device location permissions are configured. Users who wish to limit collection to active app sessions should review and adjust device-level location settings.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Background Location Collection When App Is Not In Use and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"depending on your selected device settings and/or your account settings, we may collect information about your location and travel (or lack thereof) even when you are not using the app, to tell you when to leave for planned or predicted drives, notify you about bad traffic in your area, provide you parking assistance, and moreExcerpt from Waze's Privacy Policy
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Continuous background location collection engages GDPR Article 5 data minimization principles, LGPD proportionality requirements, and FTC fair information practice standards.
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This provision establishes that location data collection is not limited to active app sessions; the scope of collection depends on device-level permissions and account settings, which users must actively manage to restrict.
Under this clause, Waze may collect location information continuously in the background depending on how device location permissions are configured. Users who wish to limit collection to active app sessions should review and adjust device-level location settings.
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