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This is bad:
Despite claims to the contrary, Google is still collecting and retaining at least two distinct pieces of location data from individuals visiting abortion clinics. Prosecutors could easily weaponize this information.
We can’t let them get away with this. Add your name to our new petition with grassroots allies calling on Google to stop collecting location data and aiding abortion prosecutors.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned nearly a year ago, we’ve been warning of the dangers hidden in the massive amounts of sensitive and personal data collected and retained by tech companies like Google and Meta — and how it could be weaponized against people seeking reproductive health care.
Google promised in July 2022 to protect sensitive health data by deleting the location histories of users visiting abortion clinics.1 However, Accountable Tech’s latest research shows that Google is still collecting and retaining location histories on people making short trips to abortion clinics — like folks dropping off friends or family members.2
On top of that, Google is collecting and retaining location search queries for abortion clinics by default for 18 months. That means if you search for an abortion clinic on Google Maps, that information will be kept in your Google Account for 18 months, possibly putting you at risk.
We’ve already seen what happens when state governments weaponize personal data to prosecute those seeking or assisting with reproductive health care — like when Facebook gave Nebraska law enforcement access to a 17-year-old’s private Facebook messages to prosecute her for having an abortion.3
Google can continue breaking its promises to users. Or we can mobilize a massive push to demand real action on the vital need to protect user privacy. Join us in calling Google out and demanding it stop aiding abortion prosecutors.
Thanks for taking action,
The Free Press Action team
freepress.net
P.S. Google made a promise to protect sensitive health data in a post-Roe America and it’s falling short. Not on our watch: Add your name to demand that Google stop collecting our sensitive personal data.
1. “Google Will Delete User Location History for Abortion Clinic Visits,” The Washington Post, July 1, 2022
2. “New Bill Seeks to Protect Abortion Patients by Limiting Access to Data,” NBC News, April 10, 2023
3. “Facebook Gave Police Their Private Data. Now This Duo Face Abortion Charges,” The Guardian, Aug. 10, 2022
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