Google Analytics 4 (GA4) addresses Australian privacy regulations, including the Privacy Act 1988, through data minimisation, user consent management, and data processing agreements, allowing Australian businesses to configure the platform to support their compliance obligations.
As of December 2025, GA4’s core mechanism for privacy compliance is its configurable data settings. This now includes features like data deletion requests, allowing businesses to respond to individual access and deletion requests as required by the Privacy Act. Consent Mode, introduced in 2024 and fully functional in Australia by December 2025, adjusts GA4’s behaviour based on user consent signals collected via a consent management platform (CMP). GA4 doesn’t directly enforce consent; it *reacts* to signals from the CMP. Data residency options are available, though currently, data is primarily processed in the United States; Google has announced plans for increased regional data processing options starting in 2027. GA4 also offers IP anonymisation, and modelling techniques to fill data gaps when consent is not given, maintaining analytical utility while respecting user privacy. The platform’s Terms of Service include Data Processing Addenda specifically addressing data protection requirements for regions like Australia.
GA4 functions by providing tools to manage data collection and processing, enabling businesses to align their analytics practices with Australian privacy standards.
