If you use Waze's voice commands, the app may record and store your voice, using those recordings both to process your requests and to improve voice recognition systems.
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 clause establishes the operational scope of voice data collection and specifies the permissible uses of that data within the service delivery and product development framework. It creates a mechanism for continuous improvement of the voice recognition system through captured user audio.
Interpretive note: The extent to which Waze's voice recordings constitute biometric identifiers under state biometric privacy laws depends on jurisdiction-specific definitions and the technical nature of the recordings, which is not fully specified in the document.
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 →Your voice data collected through Waze's voice features may be retained and used to train or improve voice recognition systems, which means recordings could be stored and processed after your immediate navigation session ends.
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"We may collect your voice recordings when you use voice-activated features within the App. These recordings may be used to process your requests, improve our voice recognition technology, and for other purposes described in this Privacy Policy.— Excerpt from Waze's Waze Privacy Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Voice recordings may constitute biometric data under certain state laws, including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which imposes strict consent and retention requirements. GDPR classifies voice data that can identify individuals as personal data, and its use for technology improvement may require a separate lawful basis. FTC Act Section 5 is relevant for any undisclosed retention or secondary use of voice recordings. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High for Illinois users and potentially other states with biometric privacy statutes. BIPA has generated significant litigation for companies collecting voice and other biometric identifiers without adequate consent and retention policies. The secondary use of recordings for technology improvement requires clear disclosure and, in some jurisdictions, affirmative consent. JURISDICTION FLAGS: Illinois BIPA creates the highest exposure for voice data collection without explicit written consent and a published retention schedule. Texas and Washington have similar biometric privacy laws. EU/EEA users benefit from GDPR's restrictions on automated processing of personal data. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: If voice data is processed by third-party speech recognition vendors on behalf of Waze, data processing agreements must address retention limits, security standards, and restrictions on secondary use. Enterprise customers should verify that employee voice data collected via Waze is handled consistently with their biometric data policies. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should assess whether Waze's voice data practices satisfy BIPA consent and retention requirements for Illinois users, verify that voice data retention periods are defined and enforced, and confirm that users are given meaningful control over voice data collection.
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This clause establishes the operational scope of voice data collection and specifies the permissible uses of that data within the service delivery and product development framework. It creates a mechanism for continuous improvement of the voice recognition system through captured user audio.
Your voice data collected through Waze's voice features may be retained and used to train or improve voice recognition systems, which means recordings could be stored and processed after your immediate navigation session ends.
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