Google Settles With AGs for $391M Over Location Tracking Claims

Google misled consumers about location tracking practices for several years between 2014 and 2018, 40 state attorneys general said Monday, settling with the search giant for $391.5 million.

Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum (D) and Nebraska AG Doug Peterson (R) led settlement negotiations. The 10 states not signing onto the agreement were: California, Texas, Arizona, Washington, Indiana, Montana, Wyoming, West Virginia, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Google misled users into “thinking they had turned off location tracking in their account settings, when, in fact, Google continued to collect their location information,” said Rosenblum. Peterson said this is the “largest multistate Attorney General privacy settlement” in U.S. history, noting location data is a “key part of Google’s digital advertising business.” Oregon will collect $14.8 million, and Nebraska will receive $11.9 million.

Google violated state consumer protection laws dating back to at least 2014, the AGs said, noting that press reports from 2018 prompted the multistate investigation. Google location history is off unless a user turns it on, but a separate account setting called “web and app activity” is “automatically” on when users set up an account, the AGs said. The platform confused users about the various settings and how consumers could limit location tracking, the AGs said. The settlement requires Google to limit use and storage of location information and requires account controls to be more “user-friendly,” the AGs said, outlining specific changes Google will implement starting in 2023.

The settlement will “ensure that Google not only makes users aware of how their location data is being used, but also how to change their account settings if they wish to disable location-related account settings, delete the data collected and set data retention limits,” said Michigan AG Dana Nessel (D), whose state will receive $12 million.

"Citizens must be able to make informed decisions about what information they release to Big Tech,” said Louisiana AG Jeff Landry (R), whose state will receive $12.8 million. “Additionally, Big Tech must recognize the limitations in their collection efforts as it relates to various state laws." Landry said his office will continue its efforts to hold Big Tech accountable, including activity related to collusion with the federal government, for which he’s suing the Biden administration (see 2210240057).

Florida AG Ashley Moody (R) said her office took a leadership role in investigating and settling the negotiations. Florida will collect $26 million. Other states assisting in negotiations were: Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. “Consumers should be able to control whether their online information -- including their exact locations -- are tracked and monetized,” said Minnesota AG Keith Ellison (D), whose state will receive about $8.3 million. "Using someone's phone to track them against their wishes is just plain creepy -- and the behavior is no better from a giant corporation," said Ohio AG Dave Yost (R). "This settlement will put an end to Google's stalking for profit." Google didn’t comment.