Google Fined $62 Million for Unauthorized AI-Driven Location Tracking

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Google was fined $62 million after investigations revealed it tracked users' locations via AI-enabled services even when users opted out. Despite assurances, Google stored location data without consent, violating privacy rights. The settlement includes compensation for affected users and mandates Google to stop unauthorized tracking.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event involves the use of an AI system or algorithmic data processing by Google to track user location data. The tracking occurred despite users opting out, indicating misuse or failure to comply with legal frameworks regarding user consent and privacy. This misuse directly led to harm in terms of violation of users' rights and privacy, resulting in legal action and penalties. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident due to the realized harm caused by the AI system's use in tracking location without consent.[AI generated]
AI principles
Privacy & data governanceRespect of human rightsTransparency & explainabilityAccountability
Industries
Media, social platforms, and marketingIT infrastructure and hostingDigital security
Affected stakeholders
Consumers
Harm types
Human or fundamental rightsReputational
Severity
AI incident
Business function:
Other
AI system task:
Forecasting/predictionOther

Articles about this incident or hazard

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Google kažnjen sa 62 miliona dolara: Pratili lokaciju korisnika čak i kada su to odbili | Dnevni.ba

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Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves the use of an AI system or algorithmic data processing by Google to track user location data. The tracking occurred despite users opting out, indicating misuse or failure to comply with legal frameworks regarding user consent and privacy. This misuse directly led to harm in terms of violation of users' rights and privacy, resulting in legal action and penalties. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident due to the realized harm caused by the AI system's use in tracking location without consent.
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Google vas prati i BEZ DOZVOLE: Ugrozili privatnost korisnika - platiće 62 miliona odštete

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kurir.rs
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event explicitly involves AI systems in the form of location tracking services that infer user location data through various applications. The unauthorized tracking constitutes a violation of privacy rights, a breach of applicable law protecting fundamental rights. The harm has already occurred, as evidenced by the legal settlement and court ruling. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident due to the direct involvement of AI-enabled systems causing violations of rights and harm to users' privacy.
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"Ova tužba je bila ekstremno uspješna" Gugl KAŽNJEN SA 62 MILIONA DOLARA zbog praćenja lokacije korisnika bez njihovog pristanka

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Srpskainfo
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves Google's use of AI-enabled systems to track user location data without consent, violating privacy rights and legal obligations. The harm has already occurred, as evidenced by the legal ruling and financial penalties. The AI system's use in processing and tracking location data directly led to the violation of user rights. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident due to realized harm involving an AI system's use leading to legal and rights violations.