Google is rolling out important changes to its Maps timeline feature, which tracks your location history. As part of this update, you will soon receive notifications that your schedule data will be automatically deleted after a specific deadline unless you take action to back it up. This move represents a shift towards improved privacy as Google plans to store your timeline data locally on your device instead of on its servers. Although this change is intended to protect your data from unauthorized access, it also means that any unsupported location history may be permanently lost.
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Google Maps (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
What changes in the Google Maps timeline?
Google Maps' location tracking feature, known as Timeline, is getting a major update. Previously, Google announced plans to shift this data to local storage. Now, the company is sending emails to alert you about this upcoming change.
Google will start deleting your timeline data for the last three months unless you take action. While this shift to local storage provides more privacy for those concerned about sharing location data with Google, it also means that if you don't act, your past location history could be permanently lost.
After you receive the notification, you will have about six months to save or transfer your schedule data before it is deleted. The email will be sent via Google Location History, with the subject line: “Want to keep your timeline? Decide by (date).”
Keep in mind that not everyone has received these notifications yet, so there is no immediate rush. But once you get the email, you will have six months to make a decision.
A man uses Google Maps on his phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
How Google Maps gives you more control over your location data
Why save your timesheet data?
There are several compelling reasons why users would want to save their Google Maps timeline data.
Personal memories: The Timeline feature allows you to revisit past trips and experiences, serving as a digital diary of places visited and routes taken. For many, these memories are valuable and worth preserving.
Travel planning: Access to historical location data can help plan future travel. You can analyze past trips to make informed decisions about destinations, accommodations, and activities based on past experiences.
Safety and security: Keeping a log of visited websites can be beneficial for personal safety. In emergency or conflict situations, having a detailed history of movements can provide important information.
Data ownership: With the shift to local storage, you have more control over your data. Saving this information ensures its accessibility and privacy without relying on cloud services that may be vulnerable to breaches.
Loss avoidance: Google has indicated that any unsupported location history will be deleted after the transfer. Those who want to keep their data should act quickly to prevent permanent loss.
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How to back up your location history
If you received the above email or simply want to make sure your schedule data is preserved, here's what you can do:
1) Google Timeline Export Tool:
- Visit takeout.google.com
- Deselect all options except Location history (timeline)
- Click Next step
- He chooses Create an export. You'll receive a backup of your data and you'll see this note at the bottom of the screen, “Google is creating a copy of data from your location history (timeline).” This process can take a long time (possibly hours or days) to complete. You will receive an email when the export process is finished.
2) Google is rolling out a feature that allows you to export your timeline data directly from your devices. To use it:
On your phone or tablet:
- Open Google Maps application
- Click on your Profile picture Or the first in the upper right corner.
- He chooses Your schedule
- Click on Three points In the upper right corner.
- He chooses Location and privacy settings
- Scroll down and click Export schedule data
- You'll likely see various options for exporting your data, such as sharing via email, messaging apps, or saving to a cloud service. Choose the method that best suits your needs. 1) If you choose to share via email, click Email optionand your email application will open with the exported data attached. Enter the recipient's email address and send. 2) If you select A Messaging application-Follow the prompts to send the file through this app.
On your computer:
- Go to Google Maps In your web browser
- Click on all three Horizontal lines In the upper left corner of the screen
- He chooses Save
- Click maps Unpaid invoice.
- Scroll down and click Create a map
- handle creates
- In the new window, click Imported To load your exported data.
Keep in mind that this backup will be specific to that device, so you may need to repeat the process on other devices you use.
Note: Some users reported that their data was deleted even after they requested not to lose anything. To avoid this, we recommend that you perform regular backups of your schedule data.
Google Email Reminder (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
This GOOGLE MAPS trick can increase your ability to navigate directions
More ways to stay private
Although this update may help you avoid sharing location data with Google, it's important to remember that Google collects personal data in other ways, too. Here are some additional steps you can take to protect your privacy.
1) Turn off location data on Google: This prevents Google Images from estimating where your photo was taken. Here's how to do it.
On your phone or tablet:
- Open your Google Photos app
- Click your Profile icon in The upper right corner of the screen
- He chooses Google Photos Settings
- Click privacy
- Click Location options
- Switch next to where it says Estimating missing locations. This will prevent Google Photos from estimating where your photos were taken based on location history data.
2) Disable facial recognition: Sharing your facial data with Google exposes you to the risk that the company will collect the information without your consent, possibly share it with third parties, and use it in ways you may not be aware of. Here's how to turn it off.
- Opens Google images On your phone
- Click on your Profile icon In the upper right corner
- Go to Google Photos Settings And specify
- Click privacy
- Disable the face grouping feature by turning it off next to the mentioned location Facial kits
3) Delete your YouTube history: Google tracks your YouTube viewing history and suggests videos based on your past activity. Although this may be convenient for discovering similar content, it may also seem like an intrusion into your privacy. Here's how to end it.
On desktop:
- Go to YouTube.com
- Log in to Your YouTube account
- Click your Profile icon In the upper right corner
- Click Your data in YouTube
- Click Manage your YouTube search history
- Click wipe, Then click Delete all the time
- You will be asked to confirm your decision by clicking Wipe
- Then click I got it
On mobile:
- Open YouTube application On your phone
- Click on your Profile icon In the lower right corner
- Go to Settings in the upper right corner of the screen and tap it
- He chooses History and privacy
- handle Clear viewing history
- Confirm your decision by clicking Clear viewing history
- You will receive a pop-up notification indicating your viewing history It has been cleared
Example of YouTube history (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
4) Use a VPN: A VPN can greatly enhance your privacy when using Google Maps and other online services. Here's how it helps:
- Your IP address masks: A VPN hides your real IP address, making it difficult for Google to track your physical location.
- Encrypts your data: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from potential eavesdroppers.
- Goes beyond geographical restrictions: You may access Google Maps and other services as if you were in a different location, which may avoid location-based tracking.
To use a VPN with Google Maps:
- Choose A Reputable VPN Service provider
- Install a VPN app On your device
- Connect to a VPN server Before opening Google Maps
- is used Google Maps As always, with added privacy protection
Important warning: Although using a VPN can enhance your privacy, it may interfere with Google Maps' ability to provide accurate directions. This is because a VPN may route your connection through a server in a different location, causing the app to misidentify your current location. If you need accurate navigation or directions from your current location, consider temporarily disabling your VPN while using Google Maps to ensure accurate results.
For advice: For maximum privacy, you can combine using a VPN with Google Maps incognito mode. This ensures that your searches and location data are not linked to your Google Account, providing an additional layer of anonymity.
Recommended VPN services: To find the best VPNs that work across devices like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, check out my expert reviews of the best VPNs. These reviews highlight options that prioritize privacy, speed, and reliability.
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Key takeaways for Kurt
Google's decision to delete location history after three months is a big step toward giving you more control over your data and offering improved privacy by storing information locally. With growing privacy concerns, it's encouraging to see companies like Google taking steps toward greater transparency and user choice.
What other Google privacy concerns do you have? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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