Google Maps is making a big change to the way it stores your location data, according to a report. It will soon allow devices to store location and timeline data locally (on the device) instead of Google Cloud, the report suggests. Furthermore, the company will also set up an auto-delete feature, which automatically removes your timeline data after a certain period of time, for three months. All data older than that will be deleted, the report added.
Saving the location of Maps on the device
According to a report by The Verge, the move is part of Google’s efforts to double down on privacy protections. In an email purportedly sent to Google users, the company revealed that they have until December 1st to save their location data, such as places they’ve visited and trips they’ve taken, to their devices. After that, the deletion of old data will begin, according to the report.
This will reportedly include Location History – now known as Timeline. Google says Timeline is a “personal map” that helps people remember routes and trips based on their Location History. Users have the option to edit and delete data on the timeline. From now on, all location data will be tied to the device locally instead of Google Cloud.
The tech giant first announced this privacy-focused initiative in December 2023. In a blog post, it said: “If you’re among the subset of users who have chosen to turn on Location History (it’s off by default), soon your timeline will be saved directly to your device — giving you even more control over your data. As before, you can delete all or part of your data or disable the setting entirely at any time.”
How to continue using the timeline
According to the report, Google says to keep location history turned on, users must open Google Maps on their smartphone and tap the profile picture in the top right corner. Then switch to Timeline section and set the feature to On.
Furthermore, users can also choose how long they want Google to store their data, ranging from three months to three years. Alternatively, they can also include a manual wipe option that will retain the timeline data until the user manually removes it.
