Arizona analyzes the report of overexploitation of Google location data

Last month, the Associated Press reported that Google tracks users' location, even though they told the company they did not want to be tracked. This is not the first report of its kind – last year, Oracle denounced the way Android phones quietly tell Google where users are, even if they turned off location services and removed the map SIM of the device. Arizona could result in a huge fine for the company.

According to Washington PostArizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich launched the investigation last month, stating that his office would target an anonymous business because of his "storage of consumer location data, tracking the Location of consumers and other smartphone operating systems. when consumers disable "location services" and take other steps to stop this tracking. "

After the AP story broke, the company changed its help page to the location history feature. While previously asserting that "the location history was turned off, the places you visit are no longer stored," the "no longer affects other location location of your device, such as Google location and Search my device. Some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other services, such as Search and Maps. "

If the investigation results in a full consumer protection proceeding under Arizona state law, Google (googl) could theoretically be fined up to $ 10,000 per year. violation.

As reported in the AP report, Google was retrieving location data from Android devices and iPhones carrying the Google Maps app. even if users disable the "location history" feature – which could end up being a huge amount of money.

The AP report also fired feathers at the German Justice Ministry, which last month asked Google CEO Sundar Pichai to clarify exactly what the company does with the location data. people. Officials warned Google that collecting and storing data despite "disabling" location history would "seriously undermine consumer confidence in digital services."

In response to the survey conducted in Arizona, Google announced To post that it collects location data in many ways, including through search queries, to provide locally relevant services.