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EU regulator fines Google €403 million over location data practices
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission says Google unlawfully processed users’ location data and must comply with the GDPR within six months.
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Event
Google fined €403 million for breaching EU location data rules
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, acting for the EU, fined Google €403 million for unlawfully processing users’ location data between May 2018 and February 2020. Google was also ordered to comply with the EU’s GDPR within six months.
2 published stories · artificial-intelligence · source reliability 67%
Background
Why this event matters
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined Google €403 million over what it said was unlawful and unfair processing of users’ location data through Web & App Activity and Location History between May 2018 and February 2020. Google must comply with the EU’s GDPR within six months. The case followed coordinated consumer complaints in November 2018. Google said the matter concerned historical policies that had since been updated.
event-brief
Google fined €403 million for breaching EU location data rules
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined Google €403 million over what it said was unlawful and unfair processing of users’ location data through Web & App Activity and Location History between May 2018 and February 2020. Google must comply with the EU’s GDPR within six months.
Reporting trail
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260921-eu-fines-google-%E2%82%AC403-million-for-improperly-using-location-data | published 2026-09-21T15:05:05.000Z | primary sourceFrance 24 International | Primary supplied account of the fine, regulator findings, consumer complaints and responses.Event digest | Concise confirmation of the fine, relevant period and compliance order.Retrieved context: Engadget | Corroborates the fine and six-month GDPR compliance order.Engadget | https://www.engadget.com/2263850/google-fined-dollar463-million-for-breaching-eu-location-data-rules | published 2026-09-21T14:31:22.000Z | primary sourceEngadget | Primary account of the DPC’s findings, penalty, compliance deadline and Google’s response.Event digest | Concise confirmation of the core event and affected services.Retrieved context, cluster summary | Corroborates the event and provides high confidence in the central facts.
Fact cards
entity brief
Google fined €403 million for breaching EU location data rules: key people and institutions
Key entities: Google, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, European Union.
faq brief
Google fined €403 million for breaching EU location data rules: key questions
Why was Google fined? The DPC said Google unlawfully and unfairly processed users’ location data. Which services were involved? Web & App Activity and Location History. What must Google do next? Bring its practices into compliance with the GDPR within six months. Who handled the
source brief
Google fined €403 million for breaching EU location data rules: reporting sources
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260921-eu-fines-google-%E2%82%AC403-million-for-improperly-using-location-data | published 2026-09-21T15:05:05.000Z | primary source | France 24 International | Primary supplied account of the fine, regulator findings
timeline brief
Google fined €403 million for breaching EU location data rules: timeline
May 2018–February 2020: Period covered by the DPC’s findings on Google’s location-data processing. November 2018: Consumer organisations in eight European countries lodged coordinated complaints. From 2019: Google said it introduced improved tools and updated the relevant policie
Timeline
May 2018–February 2020
Period covered by the DPC’s findings on Google’s location-data processing.
November 2018
Consumer organisations in eight European countries lodged coordinated complaints.
From 2019
Google said it introduced improved tools and updated the relevant policies.
Monday, 21 September 2026
The DPC announced the €403 million fine and six-month compliance order.
FAQ
Why was Google fined?
The DPC said Google unlawfully and unfairly processed users’ location data.
Which services were involved?
Web & App Activity and Location History.
What must Google do next?
Bring its practices into compliance with the GDPR within six months.
Who handled the case?
Ireland’s DPC, which oversees Google at EU level because its European headquarters are in Ireland.
When did the complaints begin?
Coordinated complaints were lodged in November 2018 by organisations in eight European countries.
Which services were examined?
Web & App Activity, Location History and Location Accuracy.
What has Google said?
Google said the case concerned historical policies and that it had significantly changed its practices from 2019 onwards.
Why did Ireland’s regulator handle the case?
Google’s European headquarters are in Dublin, making the DPC its lead EU regulator.