Cookie consent when using Google Maps?

Last year, I published a few articles on the topic of consent when setting cookies. See these articles. But what about when you use Google Maps? Many use the free versions of Google Maps, for example, to present customers with directions to their own company on a contact page. This was mainly in response to countless warnings for the illegal use of other city map graphics.

Key Facts

When using Google Maps, consent and cookies must be observed.
Technically necessary cookies do not require consent, but analysis cookies do.
Google Maps uses analysis cookies to link data.
Similar to YouTube and Twitch, consent must be obtained.
Third-party providers whose integration is not necessary also require consent.
The use of iFrames can be blocked by cookie tools.
Check your website on Google Maps to avoid warnings.

The only thing that is clear is that it probably does not require the consent of its own users if technically necessary cookies are set on the website, for example for logging into a user area or so-called session cookies.

It is also clear that through the use of Googlemaps, whether through the use of Javascript or via the API interface, cookies are set and data is transmitted to the Google network.

The only problem is the question of whether these are technically necessary cookies or analysis cookies. However, since cookies do not have to be set in order to display a position on a map, it can be assumed that Google sets them in order to link the data obtained with other data. This is especially true when Google Maps is used in conjunction with Google Business. These are analysis cookies and the user’s consent must be obtained before they are set.

The situation is therefore the same as with YouTube videos or Twitch streams. In both cases, the user’s consent must also be obtained before the advertisement is displayed on the user’s own page. In the case of Facebook widgets, most people are probably already familiar with it. Basically, however, all third-party providers are affected whose integration is not absolutely necessary for the operation of one’s own website, but which only represent an additional function. Of course, only if they set cookies.

If Google Maps is integrated via an iFrame, numerous cookies tools now block Google Maps automatically. It is strongly recommended to check your own site for Google Maps but also similar services to avoid falling into unnecessary Abman traps!

Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.