How Google Photos protects your location data

Locations are private by default. Google Photos only shares locations if you choose to include them when you create a new conversation or shared album, or when you set up partner sharing.

With Google Photos you can:

  • Check which photos or videos have location info
  • Edit or remove estimated locations
  • Choose to include location data when sharing photos

How locations on your photos work

There are 2 ways for a photo to have location data. When you take a photo or video, the camera app may capture and save location data. Or, Google Photos will try to estimate a location based on machine learning, like landmarks detected in your photos and similarities with your other photos that have locations.

How we protect your privacy

Important: Even if you don’t include a location when you share with other people, they may be able to guess based on landmarks in your photo or video.
  • Location data is never shared with advertisers.
  • Other than for partner sharing, new albums, links, conversations, and other items you share do not include location details by default.

You’re in control

  • You can choose to include location details for photos and videos you share with others.
  • If you don’t want your device to collect location data when you take a photo, turn off location data collection through your camera app.
  • You can control if Photos estimates your location. 
  • You can edit or remove an estimated location or add a location if it’s missing.
  • Estimated locations won't be shared, even when you choose to share location details.

Learn how to manage your photos’ locations.

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