---
title: Google fined €403 million by Irish regulator
url: https://www.dataloco.com/en/google-fined-eur403-million-by-irish-regulator
published: 2026-09-24T17:21:32+00:00
language: en
section: Privacy
source: https://www.cnbeta.com.tw/articles/tech/1579096.htm
organizations: Google, Data Protection Commission
publisher: Dataloco
---

# Google fined €403 million by Irish regulator

The Irish Data Protection Commission has announced a fine of €403 million against Google due to improper handling of user location data. Multiple European consumer groups had previously lodged complaints with regulators about Google's violations, which primarily pertained to online and app activities as well as location history data.

The regulatory audit examined location data preservation from May 2018 to February 2020 and found that Google’s handling of location data related to its online and app activities, as well as location history, violated legality and fairness. Even after users disabled location history, Google continued to collect their location data through other products. The accuracy options for location in Google search lacked transparency, violating Google’s accountability obligations and the rules regarding data retention periods.

The options for online and app activities, as well as location history, are located in the Google Account Center, where users can check recent activity. Google compiles the activity logs of most of its products here, including location information.

The location accuracy options can be found in Google search, where users often encounter prompts to share their location. Google claims that accurate positioning can provide more personalized search results, and the location information is also used for advertising purposes.

Based on the investigation results and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Irish regulator has decided to impose a fine of €403 million on Google. Furthermore, Google must adjust its location data processing procedures within six months. Should Google fail to comply within the stipulated timeframe, the regulator may implement additional punitive measures.

## This story in other languages

- [Deutsch](https://www.dataloco.com/de/google-wegen-datenschutzverstossen-mit-403-millionen-euro-belegt)
- [Svenska](https://www.dataloco.com/sv/irlandska-dataskyddsmyndigheten-boter-google-403-miljoner-euro-for-otillaten-behandling-av-placeringsdata)
- [Norsk](https://www.dataloco.com/no/google-far-boter-pa-403-millioner-euro-fra-irsk-datatilsyn)
- [Español](https://www.dataloco.com/es/google-multa-europea-de-403-millones-de-euros-por-tratamiento-indebido-de-datos-de-ubicacion)
- [Italiano](https://www.dataloco.com/it/google-riceve-una-multa-di-403-milioni-di-euro-dallirlanda)