Most Google Maps users never read privacy policies, raising data protection concerns

The research reveals that most users have only a partial understanding of what personal data is being collected. While 51.4 percent said they knew some of the data items collected, only 21.1 percent claimed full knowledge, and nearly a quarter admitted they knew data was collected but could not specify what.

A recent analysis published in Frontiers in Computer Science reveals that the majority of Google Maps users do not read privacy policies, leaving them vulnerable to data collection they barely understand.

The findings, titled “Awareness of Privacy and Data Collection: Exploring Privacy Policy Effectiveness in Google Maps,” highlight widespread user disengagement and call for urgent reforms in how privacy information is presented.

The research examined how informed users are about the data Google Maps collects and whether privacy policies effectively communicate this information. The authors point to persistent comprehension barriers and a lack of practical control tools that diminish users’ ability to make informed choices about their personal data.

Widespread disengagement with privacy policies

The study’s survey of 109 participants found an overwhelming lack of engagement with privacy documents. Not a single respondent reported always reading app privacy policies, while 60.6 percent admitted they never do. For Google Maps specifically, 88.1 percent said they had never read its privacy policy, and 72.5 percent had never revisited the policy after updates.

A hidden test embedded in the survey underscored the gap: only 17.4 percent of participants clicked a link to a sample policy, and a mere 7.3 percent read or skimmed it to the end. Even among respondents with computer science backgrounds, where awareness was higher than average, actual reading rates remained low.

These findings indicate that length, complexity, and presentation of privacy policies discourage meaningful engagement. As a result, many users remain unaware of the scope of data collection practices, despite using Google Maps daily.

Limited awareness and weak trust in data handling

The research reveals that most users have only a partial understanding of what personal data is being collected. While 51.4 percent said they knew some of the data items collected, only 21.1 percent claimed full knowledge, and nearly a quarter admitted they knew data was collected but could not specify what.

For Google Maps, 62.4 percent of respondents described themselves as only “somewhat” aware of the data being gathered, while just 12.8 percent felt fully aware. Trust in Google’s handling of personal data was similarly weak: only 2.8 percent expressed full confidence, compared to 18.3 percent who said they had none.

Despite this distrust, 69.8 percent of users felt they had no real alternative to Google Maps, citing a lack of comparable apps. About 65.2 percent had never considered switching platforms over privacy concerns, while 13.8 percent had already done so and 22 percent had considered it but could not find suitable replacements.

Calls for simplification, transparency and better controls

The authors stress that users need both simplified privacy policies and effective in-app controls to manage data sharing. Over half of respondents (52.3 percent) reported difficulty understanding existing policies, and large majorities expressed a desire for clearer communication: 86.2 percent wanted more transparency, 84.4 percent supported the use of concise summaries, and 81.7 percent believed such summaries would help them understand policies better.

The study highlights the importance of integrating privacy information directly into the user experience. Rather than burying details in long legal documents, developers are encouraged to design layered, accessible disclosures and implement straightforward, real-time consent tools.

Additionally, the authors suggest leveraging modern technologies such as natural language processing and large language models to help create accurate and user-friendly privacy labels. However, they caution that these tools must be implemented carefully to avoid oversimplification or omission of critical details.

Bridging the gap between policy and practice

The review of existing literature confirms that default presentation styles, long, dense texts buried deep in settings, deter policy reading and comprehension. The study also notes that past attempts to improve understanding, such as layered policies and short-form notices, have shown promise but remain inconsistently applied.

Google’s current privacy policy, which exceeds 5,000 words, and its layered approach including the Privacy Checkup tool, represent steps in the right direction but still fail to engage most users. The survey’s results make it clear that length and format remain significant barriers.

The authors argue that privacy protection must go beyond compliance to actively support informed user decisions. They emphasize that clearer presentation, better labeling, and integrated controls are critical to rebuilding user trust and ensuring privacy policies serve their intended purpose.

Overall, the findings suggest that policymakers and technology developers must prioritize usability in privacy design, embedding transparency into the product experience itself. This approach can help users understand their rights, exercise control over their data, and build trust in widely used applications such as Google Maps.