Big location privacy upgrade coming to Google Maps

[Nat Quinn]

Google Maps will start allowing users to store their location history on their devices instead of on the cloud.

As it stands, Google Maps users who turn the Location History setting on will have the app’s Timeline feature store their movement data.

This is stored on Google’s servers, where the company says it is encrypted to protect against malicious abuse.

In a recent blog post, Google Maps product director Malo McGriff explained the app’s Timeline feature would start storing users’ location data on their devices by default.

For users switching to a new phone or those concerned about losing their current one,  Google will continue to offer the ability to back up location data to the cloud.

“We’ll automatically encrypt your backed-up data so no one can read it, including Google,” McGriff said.

Users can still delete all or parts of their information at any time or disable the setting entirely.

Screenshots showing the prompts users will receive once on-device Timeline storage becomes available on their phone.

To enhance privacy, Google is reducing the auto-deletion of history data to three months by default, down from the previous 18 months.

Users can choose how long they want their data stored or turn the auto-deletion off altogether.

McGriff said the changes would gradually roll out on Android and iOS throughout the coming year.

“You’ll receive a notification when this update comes to your account,” he said.

In addition to the on-device location data storage, Google is adding the ability to delete place-related activity from Maps over the next few weeks.

“Say you’re planning a surprise birthday party, and you get directions to a nearby bakery to pick up the cake,” Google explained.

“Soon, you’ll be able to see all your recent activity on Maps related to the bakery in one central place, and easily delete your searches, directions, visits, and shares with just a few taps.”

 

SOURCE:Big location privacy upgrade coming to Google Maps (mybroadband.co.za)

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