Google Maps is deleting location history soon, so act now to save your data

Google is rolling out significant changes to its Maps Timeline feature, which tracks your location history. As part of this update, you will soon receive notifications that your timeline data will be automatically deleted after a certain period of time unless you take action to back it up. This transition represents a move towards improved privacy as Google plans to store timeline data locally on your device instead of on its servers. While the goal of this change is to protect your data from unauthorized access, it also means that uncovered location history could be permanently lost.

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What’s changing with the Google Maps timeline?

Google Maps’ location-tracking feature, known as Timeline, is getting a major update. Previously, Google announced plans to move this data to local storage. Now the company is sending out emails alerting you to this upcoming change.

Google will start deleting the last three months of timeline data unless you take action. While this move to local storage offers more privacy for those concerned about sharing location data with Google, it also means that if you don’t take any action, your past location history could be permanently lost.

Once you receive the notification, you will have approximately six months to save or upload your timeline data before it is deleted. The email will be sent by “Google Location History”, with the subject line: “Keep your timeline? Decide to [date].”

Note that not everyone has received these notifications yet, so there is no immediate rush. But once you get the email, you’ll have six months to decide.

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Why save timeline data?

There are several compelling reasons why users would want to save their Google Maps timeline data.

Personal memories: The Timeline feature lets you revisit past trips and experiences, serving as a digital diary of the places you’ve visited and the routes you’ve taken. For many, these memories are valuable and worth preserving.

Travel planning: Access to historical location data can help with future travel planning. You can analyze previous trips to make informed decisions about destinations, accommodation and activities based on past experiences.

Security and protection: Keeping a record of the locations visited can be useful for personal safety. In case of emergencies or disputes, having a detailed movement history can provide crucial information.

Data Ownership: By switching to local storage, you have more control over your data. Storing this information ensures that it will remain accessible and private without relying on cloud services that can be vulnerable to hacking.

Loss Avoidance: Google has indicated that any unsupported location history will be deleted after the transition. Those of you who want to keep your data must act now to prevent permanent loss.

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How to back up your location history

If you’ve received the email above, or simply want to make sure your Timeline data is preserved, here’s what you can do:

1) Google timeline export tool:

• Visit takeout.google.com
• Deselect all options except for Location history (timeline)
• Click The next step
• Choose Make an export. You will receive a backup copy of your data and see this note at the bottom of the screen, “Google is creating a copy of data from Location History (Timeline).” This process can take a long time (perhaps hours or days). You will receive an email when the export is complete.

2) Google is introducing a feature that allows you to export timeline data directly from your devices. To use it:

On your phone or tablet:

• Open it Google Maps application
• Tap yours profile picture or an initial in the upper right corner.
• Choose Your timeline
• Touch three dots in the upper right corner.
• Choose Location and privacy setting
• Scroll down and tap Export timeline data
• You’ll likely be presented with various options for exporting your data, such as sharing via email, a messaging app, or saving to a cloud service. Choose the method that best suits your needs. 1) If you choose to share via email, tap email optionand will open your email application with the exported data attached. Enter the recipient’s email address and send it. 2) If you choose a messaging applicationfollow the instructions to send the file through that application.

On your computer:

• Go to Google Maps in your web browser
• Click three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screen
• Choose Saved
• Click on Maps tab.
• Scroll down and click Make a map
• Touch Create
• In the new window, click Import to transfer your exported data.

Note 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 have reported that their data was deleted even after they requested not to lose anything. To avoid this, we recommend backing up your timeline data regularly.

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More ways to stay private

While this update can help you avoid sharing location data with Google, it’s important to remember that Google collects personal data in other ways as well. Here are some additional steps you can take to protect your privacy.

1) Turn off location data on Google: This prevents Google Photos from estimating where your photo was taken. Here’s how to do it.

On your phone or tablet:

• Open yours Google Photos app
• Click yours profile icon in in the upper right corner of the screen
• Choose Google Photos Settings
• Click Privacy
• Click Location options
• Turn off next to where it says Estimate the missing locations. This will prevent Google Photos from estimating where your photos were taken based on location history data.

2) Disable face recognition: Sharing your face information with Google puts you at risk of the company collecting information without your consent, potentially sharing it with third parties and using it in ways you may not be aware of. Here’s how to turn it off.

• Open Google Photos on your phone
• Tap yours profile icon in the upper right corner
• Go to Google Photos Settings and select
• Click Privacy
• Disable face grouping by turning it off next to where it says Groups of faces

3) Delete your YouTube history: Google tracks your YouTube viewing history and suggests videos based on your past activity. While this can be convenient for discovering similar content, it can also feel like an invasion of your privacy. Here’s how to put an end to it.

On the desktop:

• Go to YouTube.com
• Sign up at your YouTube account
• Click yours Profile icon in the upper right corner
• Click Your data on YouTube
• Click Manage your YouTube search history
• Click Delete, then click Delete all time
• You will be asked to confirm your decision by clicking Delete
• Then click I understand

On mobile phone:

• Open it YouTube application on your phone
• Tap yours profile icon in the lower right corner
• Go to settings in the upper right corner of the screen and tap it
• Choose History and privacy
• Touch Clear viewing history
• Confirm your decision by clicking Clear viewing history
• You get a pop-up notification that your watch history is cleared

4) Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can significantly improve your privacy when using Google Maps and other online services. Here’s how it helps:

• Masks your IP address: A VPN hides your real IP address, making it harder for Google to track your physical location.
• Encrypts your data: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from potential eavesdroppers.
• Bypasses geo-restrictions: You can access Google Maps and other services as if you were in another location, potentially avoiding location-based tracking.

To use a VPN with Google Maps:

• Choose a a reputable VPN service provider
• Install a VPN application on your device
• Connect to the VPN server before opening Google Maps
• Use Google Maps as usual, with added privacy protection

Important warning: While using a VPN can improve your privacy, it can interfere with Google Maps’ ability to provide accurate directions. This is because a VPN can route your connection through a server in another location, causing the app to misidentify your current location. If you need precise 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, combine using a VPN with the anonymous mode of Google Maps. 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 on devices like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, check out my expert reviews of top VPN software. These reviews highlight options that prioritize privacy, speed, and reliability.

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Kurt’s outdoor essentials

Google’s decision to delete location history after three months is a big move towards giving you more control over your data and offering improved privacy by storing information locally. As privacy concerns grow, it’s encouraging to see companies like Google take steps toward greater transparency and user choice.

What other Google privacy questions do you have? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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