Maps is designed to protect your information. We work hard to collect only the data we need to make your experience better. When we collect data, we believe it’s important for you to know what we’re collecting and why we need it.

Sign-In and Sync

You do not have to sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID to use Maps. If you choose to sign in to iCloud and have two-factor authentication enabled, Maps will keep your data in sync across all your devices using end-to-end encryption. For example, your Favorites, History, and Guides are encrypted end-to-end so Apple cannot read them. When you share your ETA with other Maps users, Apple cannot see the shared location.

If you are signed in, Maps will also use information associated with your Apple ID, such as whether you are an adult or a child, to determine if certain features are available to you. Maps does not store that information.

Location

Use of your location is required for most Maps features to function optimally. Because your location can give away your identity, we convert precise locations to less-exact locations within 24 hours.

You can disable the location-based functionality of Maps by going to Settings > Maps > Location. Certain Maps features such as turn-by-turn navigation will be unavailable if you disable this setting.

If you use the Navigation features for Enhanced Navigation Accuracy, Refine Location, or Augmented Reality Walking, Maps will use your camera and motion sensors to improve the accuracy of your position and heading and to help you orient yourself. This data isn’t stored, and doesn’t leave your device. You can disable Enhanced Navigation Accuracy by going to Settings > Maps, going to the Directions section, tapping Walking, then tapping to turn off Enhanced.

If Location Services is turned on, information about routing, traffic, and nearby points of interest will be used in an anonymous, aggregated form to improve Maps. You can disable this by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Routing & Traffic. For more information about Location Services, visit www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/location-services.

Using Maps

When you use Maps, the following information is sent to Apple:

• Time of your request
  • Device model and software version
  • Input language
  • Device location, if you have authorized Maps to access your location
  • Boundaries of the map area visible on your device
  • Interactions with Maps, including search terms and features you use, the places you view, and your interactions with notifications from Maps

We also collect data on application, device, and network configuration and performance when using Maps. Individual usage metrics are associated with an identifier that rotates multiple times per hour, and is not tied to your Apple ID. This means Maps cannot search for information about you based on an identifier linked to you or your device.

Longer-lived identifiers are used for application performance, aggregate usage metrics, and to maintain the integrity of the service. These longer-lived identifiers are not attached to your Apple ID or other information that might identify you, such as your precise location or search queries.

You have the choice to participate in Ratings & Photos, which is a feature within Maps that allows you to publicly post ratings, photos, and other content to points of interest (“POIs”). You can also choose to report issues to Maps using the Report an Issue feature. Unlike your other activity in Maps, the reports you make and the ratings, photos, and other content that you share within these features are linked with your Apple ID. For more information about Report an Issue, visit www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/maps-report-an-issue. For more information about Ratings & Photos, visit www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/ratings-photos.

Navigation

In addition to the information listed above, details about your route are also sent to Apple when you make a navigation or directions request in Maps, including:

• Origin and current device location, if you have authorized Maps to access your location
  • Destination
  • Mode of transport, including whether you are connected to CarPlay
  • A random identifier, which is created when you ask for directions and exists for the duration of your navigation session

We convert precise locations from your device and the origin of your route to less-exact locations within 24 hours.

If you use EV Routing, the state of charge at the start of your EV Routing request and information about your vehicle’s charge during your trip also are sent to Apple. Additionally, if you have opted in to Improve EV Routing, Apple may use data from your electric vehicle when you request directions to optimize your trip, tell you when you need to charge your vehicle, and provide an estimated level of charge at the end of your route. This information includes battery capacity, state of charge, and other vehicle characteristics that may affect range. However, none of this information is tied to your Apple ID. For more information about EV Routing, visit www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/improve-ev-routing.

Personalizing Maps

Personalized features in Maps, such as Parked Car, Time to Leave, Favorites, and Suggestions (like upcoming destinations), are created using data generated on your device. This helps minimize the amount of data sent off your device.

Maps Service in China

The Apple Maps product in China uses the AutoNavi Maps Service. You do not have to sign in with your Apple ID to use the Maps app in China, and your activity is associated with a series of random and rotating identifiers that are not tied to your Apple ID. Apple works with AutoNavi to apply privacy-preserving techniques to obscure your location so that none of the collected information identifies you personally.

The License Plate Restrictions feature in China informs you of existing road network restrictions offering alternate routing options based on your license plate. Maps, working with AutoNavi, finds routes that avoid restricted areas based on your license plate. Only information about which restrictions apply to your license plate is shared when you request a route so neither Apple nor AutoNavi can see your actual license plate, and none of this information is tied to your Apple ID.

Data Use and Sharing with Third Parties

Apple may use certain information collected to provide and improve Maps and other location-based products and services.

Apple shares movement data, POI data, and aggregated user analytics with our partners. However, data is shared only if certain minimum thresholds are met, in order to prevent these partners from correlating this information back to any specific Maps user.

When you Report an Issue within Maps relating to a third-party data provider, Apple may provide the third party with information from your reported issue in order to help fix it. Apple shares information with such third parties only when it’s necessary to fix an issue and first seeks to delete any information from which you can be identified.

Data that is sent to Apple may be processed and stored by trusted third-party service providers.

Retention

We do not collect or retain personal information associated with your Maps usage, with the exception of Ratings & Photos and Report an Issue. If you have questions about your Maps usage, or would like to reach our Data Protection Officer, you can contact us at www.apple.com/legal/privacy/contact.

At all times, information collected by Apple will be treated in accordance with Apple’s Privacy Policy, which can be found at www.apple.com/privacy

Published Date: September 12, 2022