# Google Photos privacy rating

Google's photo and video backup and sharing service, with automatic phone upload, face grouping, search and editing tools.

## Summary

Google Photos scores 20 out of 100 (grade F) on the photo management criteria. It meets 1 of 4 criteria: no ads or data sales. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry and independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.

- Website: https://www.google.com/photos/about/
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: Web, Android, iOS
- Home page trackers: Google Analytics, Google Fonts (not scored), Google Tag Manager
- Category: [Photo management](https://privacyratings.com/photo-management/)
- Also rated: [Gmail](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/gmail/) (Email providers), [Gmail app](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/gmail-app/) (Email clients), [Google Takeout](https://privacyratings.com/email-backup/google-takeout/) (Email backup tools), [Google Chrome](https://privacyratings.com/browsers/google-chrome/) (Browsers), [Google Search](https://privacyratings.com/search-engines/google-search/) (Search engines), [Google Authenticator](https://privacyratings.com/two-factor-authentication/google-authenticator/) (Two-factor authentication), [Google Messages](https://privacyratings.com/messengers/google-messages/) (Messengers), [Google Meet](https://privacyratings.com/video-calls/google-meet/) (Video calls), [Google Voice](https://privacyratings.com/virtual-phone-numbers/google-voice/) (Virtual phone numbers), [Google Public DNS](https://privacyratings.com/dns-resolvers/google-public-dns/) (DNS resolvers), [Google Cloud](https://privacyratings.com/server-hosting/google-cloud/) (Server hosting), [Chrome Remote Desktop](https://privacyratings.com/remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop/) (Remote desktop), [Google Keep](https://privacyratings.com/notes/google-keep/) (Notes), [Google Calendar](https://privacyratings.com/calendars/google-calendar/) (Calendars), [Google Docs](https://privacyratings.com/office-suites/google-docs/) (Office suites), [Google Forms](https://privacyratings.com/forms/google-forms/) (Forms and surveys), [Google Translate](https://privacyratings.com/translation/google-translate/) (Translation), [Google Gemini](https://privacyratings.com/ai-assistants/google-gemini/) (AI assistants), [Google Drive](https://privacyratings.com/cloud-storage/google-drive/) (Encrypted cloud storage), [Google Maps](https://privacyratings.com/maps/google-maps/) (Maps and navigation), [Google Analytics](https://privacyratings.com/web-analytics/google-analytics/) (Website analytics), [Google Home](https://privacyratings.com/smart-home/google-home/) (Smart home), [Google Nest Cam](https://privacyratings.com/security-cameras/google-nest-cam/) (Security cameras), [Fitbit](https://privacyratings.com/wearables/fitbit/) (Wearables and health), [Google Fit](https://privacyratings.com/fitness-trackers/google-fit/) (Fitness trackers)
- Grade: F (20/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | No | Closed source. |  |
| No trackers or telemetry | No | Google collects activity, device and usage data across its services, the Android app includes Google Firebase Analytics per Exodus Privacy, and the website loads Google Analytics (automated test). | https://policies.google.com/privacy |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | No ads in Google Photos, and Google states photos and videos are not sold or used for advertising. Extra storage is sold as a subscription. | https://safety.google/products/photos/ |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/photo-management/google-photos/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/photo-management/google-photos.md