Google Adds Extra Layer of Security, Will No Longer Store Your Location History
Google Adds Extra Layer of Security, Will No Longer Store Your Location History
Previously, the app stored location history on Google’s servers, but now, all location history will be stored directly on users’ devices.
6th June 2024
Living in the digital era means our lives are deeply connected with technology, requiring various data from different sources to provide optimal solutions and services. This data encompasses personal information, spanning from online activities and preferences to financial transactions and health records.
In contemporary society, data is highly prized for its immense value, yet it poses significant concerns when the digital realm lacks immunity from privacy breaches and cyber threats.
Google Maps is introducing a new feature aimed at enhancing user privacy. Recent reports indicate that Google is altering its approach to managing users’ location data. Previously, the app stored location history on Google’s servers, but now, all location history will be stored directly on users’ devices. Additionally, Google Maps has rebranded the location history feature as Timeline.
Google is implementing this feature gradually for some users, with a deadline set for 1st December, 2024.
The feature is designed to safeguard users’ data by giving them control over their location history. It ensures that users’ travel history, including visited locations like restaurants, will be stored locally on their Android or iOS device, eliminating the need to depend on cloud servers.
To enhance data protection, Google provides end-to-end encrypted cloud backups for Maps’ Timeline feature. This ensures that only the user can access the backup, thereby adding an additional layer of security.
This feature is being introduced exclusively for users of the app. The web version of Timeline will not be accessible through the web anymore. While users could previously access their location history via the web interface, this functionality will no longer be accessible through Maps for desktops. Nevertheless, the feature will remain operational on Google Maps for Android and iOS. Consequently, location data will no longer synchronise across devices.
To preserve your Timeline data, considering the ongoing rollout, it is plausible that the feature might not have reached everyone yet. Google intends to ensure users are informed about the availability of the Timeline data feature. They will notify users via email and push notifications from Google Maps when the feature becomes accessible to them.
Upon receiving the notification from Google, whether through email or push notification, users will be prompted to transfer their existing location history to their device using an updated button within the app. Failure to complete this migration process may result in Google potentially deleting some or all of your Timeline data as it discontinues the web feature.
In case a user switches devices, Google has provisions for that as well. Google Maps will offer a backup option to prevent users from losing their data. Users can securely store encrypted copies of their location history on Google’s servers. They can then restore this data when transitioning to a new phone.
Data privacy is essential in the digital age for safeguarding personal information from misuse. It involves obtaining clear consent and being transparent about data collection practices. Only necessary data should be collected and stored securely, with individuals retaining rights to access, rectify and delete their data.
Organisations must be accountable for their data processing activities and comply with applicable laws. Challenges include data breaches, managing vast amounts of data and navigating varying global privacy standards.
