New York Attorney General Letitia James, as part of a coalition of 40 attorneys general, secured $391.5 million from Google for allegedly misleading millions of users about its location data tracking. New York State will receive more than $20 million from the historic agreement.
According to James, a multi-state investigation found that Google failed to notify users that location tracking services were automatically turned on for web and app activity. Millions of consumers with Google accounts who used Google’s apps, such as Google Maps, Google Search, Google Chrome, and other Google apps, were unaware that their location was being tracked. Google told consumers they could turn off location tracking under “location history” in their settings, but failed to notify consumers that their “Web & App Activity” setting also collected location data.
As a result of yesterday’s historic $391.5 million agreement with Google, the tech company must also reform its practices to be more transparent with consumers.
“Big tech companies should not collect consumers’ data without their awareness or consent,” said James. “Google quietly tracked its users to turn a profit and today they are being held accountable. Every individual should be able to make their own decisions about their data and how it is being used. We will continue to hold companies that violate the law accountable and protect consumers from companies that put profits over people.”
Location data is a key part of Google’s digital advertising business. Google uses the personal and behavioral data it collects to build detailed user profiles and target ads on behalf of its advertising customers. Location data is among the most sensitive and valuable personal information Google collects. Even a limited amount of location data can expose a person’s identity and routines and can be used to infer personal details.
As a result of the agreement, Google must:
- Show additional information to users whenever they turn a location-related account setting “on” or “off”;
- Make key information about location tracking unavoidable for users (i.e., not hidden); and
- Give users detailed information about the types of location data Google collects and how it’s used at an enhanced “Location Technologies” webpage.
The agreement also limits Google’s use and storage of certain types of location information and requires Google account controls to be more user-friendly.
Joining New York in the agreement were the Attorneys General of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
