Google fined €403 million for breaching privacy rules

DUBLIN, September 21 /ATSH-DPA/ — Google has been fined €403 million by the Irish data protection authority for breaching European privacy rules (GDPR).

The investigation, launched about six years ago following complaints from European consumer organizations, examined how Google used users’ location data.

The Irish authority concluded that users may not have been clearly informed that their location data could be used for personalized ads or to understand their interests.

The investigation covered the period from May 25, 2018 to February 4, 2020 and concerned services such as web and app activity, location history and location accuracy.

In addition to the fine, Google has been ordered to change the way it processes data within six months, so as to comply with GDPR rules.

This is the fourth-largest fine imposed by the Irish authority since the GDPR entered into force.

Google said the case relates to old policies which, according to the company, have been changed since 2019.

The company stressed that users can now set their data to be automatically deleted after 3, 18 or 36 months and can turn off personalized ads.

Google also said that precise location data in the “Timeline” feature is now stored directly on the user’s device.