Google Maps allows users to store timeline data

Following the recent announcement to enhance users’ control over their personal data, Google has once again updated Google Maps. This upgrade allows users to store data related to their visited locations and attractions on a timeline directly on their devices, safeguarded by encryption.

In the new version of Google Maps, users can store timeline data of visited locations and attractions on their devices, thus gaining greater control over their location privacy.

In addition to maintaining the manual activation requirement for location history (defaulted as off), this update introduces a new feature that automatically deletes records older than three months, significantly shortening the previous 18-month retention period. Users also have the option to immediately remove records.

This adjustment includes storing location history data on the device, as opposed to the previous practice of storing it in the cloud. Additionally, users can now directly interact with the blue dots on the map to check their past visit records on the timeline, and make adjustments, such as removing specific place searches, visits, or shared records, thus preventing others from accessing this information.

This updated feature is expected to roll out in the coming weeks, initially for Android and iOS versions. However, the functionality to store timeline data directly on devices will not be available until 2024.