Google Maps Is Making A Major Change In How It Manages Your Location Data: All You Need To Know

Google offers end-to-end encrypted cloud backups for Timeline data in Maps, ensuring exclusive user access to these backups.

Google Maps has announced a significant change in how it manages location data. Formerly, users' location history was stored on Google's servers, but the tech giant has now shifted towards a more localised approach. Under this adjustment, all location history will be retained directly on users' devices. Additionally, Google Maps has rebranded the location history feature as "Timeline."

The implementation of this feature is being gradually rolled out to users, with a deadline set for December 1, 2024.

Google Maps Update: Timeline Data Protection

The primary objective behind this change is to enhance user data protection. By storing location history locally, Google ensures that users retain control over their travel data, eliminating reliance on cloud servers. This includes details such as visited restaurants and other destinations.

To fortify data security, Google offers end-to-end encrypted cloud backups for Timeline data in Maps, ensuring exclusive user access to these backups.

Notably, this feature is exclusive to the Google Maps app and will not be accessible via the web version. While users previously accessed location history through the web interface, this functionality will now be restricted to Google Maps on Android and iOS devices. Consequently, location data synchronisation across devices will cease.

Google Maps Update: Timeline Data Protection

As the feature undergoes gradual deployment, some users may not yet have access. Google assures proactive communication via email and push notifications from Google Maps when the feature becomes available.

Upon notification, users will be prompted to migrate existing location history to their device via an updated app button. Failure to do so may result in Google deleting part or all of their Timeline data as it phases out the web feature.

Google Maps Update: Timeline Data Protection

Google Maps plans to accommodate device transitions by introducing a backup option. This will enable users to store encrypted copies of their location history on Google's servers, facilitating seamless data restoration when switching devices.