Is it legal to scrape Google Maps?
In many jurisdictions, collecting publicly listed business information — names, addresses, phone numbers and websites — is generally considered lower-risk than gathering personal data, because the details are public and factual. What matters most is how you use the data: outreach must follow local anti-spam, telemarketing and privacy laws. Google Maps Contact Extractor pulls public business listings by keyword and location, and all extracted data stays on your own Windows PC.
What does the law actually cover — the data or the use?
Facts such as a business’s address or phone number are generally not copyrightable, and public business data is typically not treated the way a private individual’s personal data is. Broadly, laws like GDPR, CAN-SPAM, CASL and the TCPA govern how you contact people, rather than the act of compiling public listings. In other words, the higher-risk activities usually sit on the outreach side, which is where careful compliance matters most.
Which laws apply when you contact the businesses you find?
The laws most likely to apply relate to outreach, not collection. In broad terms, GDPR covers personal data in the EU and UK, CAN-SPAM governs commercial email in the US, CASL governs commercial electronic messages in Canada, and the TCPA governs calls and texts in the US. The table below is a high-level summary only, not a substitute for professional advice.
| Law (region) | What it governs | Practical takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR (EU / UK) | Processing of personal data relating to identifiable individuals | Business contact details tied to a named person can still be personal data; have a lawful basis and honour data-subject requests |
| CAN-SPAM (US) | Commercial email messages | Identify yourself honestly, avoid deceptive subject lines, and include a working opt-out |
| CASL (Canada) | Commercial electronic messages such as email and SMS | Generally requires consent or a recognised exception, clear sender identification, and an unsubscribe mechanism |
| TCPA (US) | Telemarketing, autodialled calls and text messages | Obtain appropriate consent, respect Do-Not-Call rules, and follow calling-time limits |
What about Google’s Terms of Service?
Google’s terms restrict automated access to its services; that is a contractual matter between you and Google, distinct from statute. A desktop tool that mimics normal browsing and respects reasonable request rates reduces friction, but you should review Google’s current terms for your own use case before you begin. Terms of Service are a private agreement, so breaching them is generally different in nature from breaking a law — but both deserve attention.
Is public business data the same as personal data?
Not usually. A company’s published address or main phone line is generally factual business information, whereas a named individual’s direct details can qualify as personal data under regimes like GDPR. When a listing includes a person’s name or personal email, treat those records more carefully and apply the relevant privacy rules. It helps to know exactly which Google Maps data fields you are collecting and how you plan to use each one, especially any email addresses.
How do you stay on the right side of it?
Focus outreach on businesses rather than consumers, honour opt-outs, and follow CAN-SPAM and CASL for email and the TCPA for calls and texts. Avoid republishing scraped data as your own directory, keep request volumes reasonable, and use any proxies responsibly. Google Maps Contact Extractor keeps all extracted data on your own PC and is designed as a legitimate B2B research tool — see how teams use it to scrape Google Maps for leads or explore the software overview.
This page is general educational information, not legal advice; consult a qualified professional for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the law actually cover?
Public business facts are not copyrightable and are not personal data the way a private individual data is. GDPR, CAN-SPAM, CASL and the TCPA govern contacting people, not compiling public listings.
What about Google Terms of Service?
Google terms restrict automated access; that is a contractual matter with Google, distinct from statute. Review Google terms for your use case.
Is it legal to email the businesses I find?
Business outreach is generally allowed if you follow CAN-SPAM and CASL - honour opt-outs and identify yourself. Rules vary by country.
