Waze · Waze Terms of Use · View original document ↗

Location and Usage Data Collection

High severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Rare · 1 of 325 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Waze collects your GPS location and information about how you use the app, and may use this data to operate the service, improve it, and for advertising and marketing purposes.

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)

The terms authorize collection and use of real-time GPS location data for advertising purposes in addition to navigation functionality; the detailed scope of data collection is deferred to a separate Privacy Policy incorporated by reference.

Interpretive note: The full scope of location data collection and processing is deferred to a separate Privacy Policy not fully reproduced in this document; the operational significance of the advertising use authorization depends on mechanisms described in that policy.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Your precise GPS location and device usage data are collected by Waze and may be used for advertising and marketing, in addition to navigation services. Users who want to understand the full scope of data collection must review the separately published Privacy 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
    Visit Waze's Help Center or Privacy Policy page to identify data deletion and data rights request procedures applicable to your jurisdiction (EU data subject rights requests, California CCPA requests).

How other platforms handle this

Uber Medium

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 ...

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...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
When you use the Service, Waze may collect and use technical information about the device you use and your use of the Service, including but not limited to your GPS location, to provide the Service, to develop and improve the Service, and for advertising and marketing purposes. For more information about the data we collect and how we use it, please see our Privacy Policy.

— Excerpt from Waze's Waze Terms of Use

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Real-time GPS location data constitutes sensitive personal data under GDPR and may require explicit consent for processing beyond service delivery under GDPR Article 9 (if combined with health or other sensitive inferences) or at minimum a lawful basis under Article 6. CCPA classifies precise geolocation as sensitive personal information under the CPRA amendments, requiring opt-in consent for certain uses. FTC Act Section 5 applies to deceptive or unfair location data practices; the FTC has taken enforcement actions in this area. EU ePrivacy Directive requirements may also apply to location data collected via mobile devices. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High. The authorization of location data use for advertising purposes beyond service delivery is a materially significant data processing purpose that requires clear disclosure and, in many jurisdictions, affirmative consent. Deferring the full scope of data collection to a separate Privacy Policy may not satisfy GDPR layering and transparency requirements if the Privacy Policy itself does not meet Article 13/14 standards. JURISDICTION FLAGS: California residents have CPRA rights regarding sensitive personal information including precise geolocation, including the right to limit its use and disclosure. EU/EEA users are protected by GDPR and ePrivacy Directive requirements. Illinois and other states with biometric or location privacy statutes may impose additional obligations. Users in jurisdictions with heightened location privacy protections face the greatest exposure from this provision. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Procurement teams should verify that Waze's Privacy Policy (incorporated by reference) satisfies applicable GDPR data processing agreement requirements under Article 28 if Waze is used in an enterprise context. The advertising use of location data may conflict with employer data minimization obligations in regulated sectors. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should review Waze's Privacy Policy for adequacy of GDPR transparency disclosures, CCPA opt-out mechanisms for sensitive data, and whether the consent mechanisms implemented at onboarding are sufficient for the stated advertising use of location data. Data mapping should include real-time GPS data flows to advertising infrastructure.

Full compliance analysis

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

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over deceptive or unfair location data practices and has previously taken enforcement action against companies that collect or use location data beyond disclosed purposes.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    California's Attorney General and Privacy Protection Agency enforce CPRA rights regarding precise geolocation as sensitive personal information, including opt-in consent and use limitation requirements.
    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 Terms of Use
Entity
Waze
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 12, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011378
Document ID
CA-D-00322
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
9736286b6eb08ee4fc6095dc2c91e0601c2ee91260355dbe9284b34928846ee8
Analysis generated
May 12, 2026 09:28 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Waze
Document: Waze Terms of Use
Record ID: CA-P-011378
Captured: 2026-05-12 09:28:43 UTC
SHA-256: 9736286b6eb08ee4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/waze/waze-terms-of-use/location-and-usage-data-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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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Waze's Location and Usage Data Collection clause do?

The terms authorize collection and use of real-time GPS location data for advertising purposes in addition to navigation functionality; the detailed scope of data collection is deferred to a separate Privacy Policy incorporated by reference.

How does this clause affect you?

Your precise GPS location and device usage data are collected by Waze and may be used for advertising and marketing, in addition to navigation services. Users who want to understand the full scope of data collection must review the separately published Privacy Policy.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 1 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Waze?

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