Google will begin deleting location history data for users who visit abortion clinics or fertility centers, one of the first tech companies to address concerns that law enforcement would weaponize the information in states where abortion is now illegal or restricted.
The company will begin deleting location data for users who are recorded visiting medical facilities such as abortion clinics, counseling centers, domestic violence shelters, and fertility centers soon after they leave, the company announced Friday. Big Tech companies have come under mounting pressure to limit the release of data to law enforcement agencies that may be tasked with pursuing those who get abortions in states that have tightened restrictions on the procedure.
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”Some of the places people visit … can be particularly personal,” the company said in a statement. “Today, we’re announcing that if our systems identify that someone has visited one of these places, we will delete these entries from Location History soon after they visit. This change will take effect in the coming weeks.”
Google’s location history data collection is an account setting that is turned off by default but can be activated with a user’s consent. While the company had already implemented policies that prohibit selling personal and sensitive user data to outside companies, Google has taken it one step further by requiring developers to disclose how they use the data they collect.
In addition to deleting location data, Google will also begin allowing users to mass-delete health logs contained in menstruation cycle trackers rather than the current feature that only allows users to delete logs one at a time.
Google also committed to resisting “overly broad” data collection requests from law enforcement agencies, vowing to strengthen privacy protections.
“We take into account the privacy and security expectations of people using our products, and we notify people when we comply with government demands, unless we’re prohibited from doing so or lives are at stake — such as in an emergency situation,” the company said. “We remain committed to protecting our users against improper government demands for data, and we will continue to oppose demands that are overly broad or otherwise legally objectionable.”
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While many tech companies have promised to assist employees financially with getting abortions, most were unwilling to state publicly whether they would oblige or reject requests for such data, according to reports. Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about Google’s collection of location data being used to identify women who may have visited an abortion clinic. At least one woman has been prosecuted based on abortion-related online searches.
Last week, the Supreme Court struck down the decades-old precedent of Roe v. Wade, empowering states to regulate abortions. Some states have outlawed the procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.
