Australia: ACCC files lawsuit against Google for misleading consumers about location data collection and use

On 29 October 2019, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the company misled users about the location data it collects, stores and uses. The case is based on two Google Account settings, the “location history” and “web and app activity”. The ACCC noted that from 2017 to 2018 Google did not properly disclose to consumers that both settings had to be turned off if they didn’t want the company to collect their personal data. Furthermore, ACCC alleged that the company deceived consumers about the ability to protect their privacy through accounts settings adjustments. Google stated that users have control over the information the company collects, but the ACCC noted that Google stores the location data if users interact with its products even if they disabled web and app activity and location history.