Google Maps
Non-EUGoogle's widely used navigation and mapping service with real-time traffic, Street View, and business information.
- •Continuously tracks and stores your location history
- •Location data is used for targeted advertising
- •Data stored on US servers subject to surveillance laws
- •Builds detailed movement profiles linked to your Google account
- •Shares location data across Google services
- •Not designed with GDPR compliance as a baseline
Google Maps is a navigation and mapping service developed by Google. Launched in 2005, it has become the most widely used mapping app globally, known for its real-time traffic data, Street View imagery, and comprehensive business listings.
Privacy and Security
Google Maps is operated by Google, whose core business model is built on collecting user data for targeted advertising. Google Maps continuously collects location data, which is used to build detailed profiles of user movements and habits. This data feeds into Google's advertising network and is shared across Google services. While Google offers location history controls, many data collection features are enabled by default.
Data Concerns
- Tracks your location continuously, even when the app is not actively in use
- Builds a detailed timeline of everywhere you go, linked to your Google account
- Location data is used for targeted advertising and shared with advertisers
- Data is stored on US servers and subject to US surveillance laws (CLOUD Act, FISA)
- Google's March 2025 pricing changes increased costs for businesses using the Maps API
- Default settings prioritize data collection over privacy
- Location data may be shared with law enforcement without user notification
- •Continuously tracks and stores your location history
- •Location data is used for targeted advertising
- •Data stored on US servers subject to surveillance laws
- •Builds detailed movement profiles linked to your Google account
- •Shares location data across Google services
- •Not designed with GDPR compliance as a baseline
HERE WeGo
Free navigation app from the Netherlands with offline maps, public transit, and multi-modal routing.
by Switch-to.eu
Other Alternatives
Magic Earth
Free, privacy-focused navigation app from Hungary with real-time traffic, turn-by-turn directions, and offline maps.
Organic Maps
Free, open-source, privacy-first navigation app with fully offline maps based on OpenStreetMap.
OsmAnd
Feature-rich offline navigation and mapping app from the Netherlands, built on OpenStreetMap.
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