Google faces €403 million fine for violating EU location data regulations

According to Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), its inquiry covered Google's handling of location data in three specific features – "Web & App Activity", "Location History" and "Location Accuracy"[2] between May 25, 2018 and February 4, 2020. The DPC said it ordered Google to bring its processing into compliance within 6 months.[2]The regulator said Google infringed the GDPR on lawfulness, fairness, transparency, accountability and its retention of location data in Web & App Activity and Location History.[2]DPC deputy commissioner Graham Doyle told France 24 that people "could have been unaware that their location was being used to, for example, influence them with ads or to infer their interests"[1].According to The Hacker News, the fine cannot be collected yet, because a DPC fine becomes payable only after an Irish court confirms it.[3] The outlet also reports that Google can appeal to the High Court within 28 days of receiving formal notice of the decision.[3]France 24 reports that Google said the "case centres around historical policies that have since been updated"[1].BEUC director general Agustin Reyna told France 24 that the decision "holds Google accountable"[1], and he warned that "Late enforcement can be as harmful as no enforcement at all."[1]France 24 also reports that, according to the regulator, Google is the subject of three other DPC investigations, all "at an advanced stage"[1].