Google Maps Timeline Data Missing? Company Confirms Glitch
Google confirms a technical glitch caused the deletion of Timeline data for some Maps users. Find out if your data can be recovered and how to prevent loss.
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Several Google Maps users recently reported the disappearance of their Timeline data, prompting concerns about potential data loss. Google has now confirmed that a technical issue was responsible for deleting location history for some users.
In a statement to Mashable, Google confirmed the incident, stating, "We briefly experienced a technical issue that caused the deletion of Timeline data for some people." The company has not disclosed the exact number of affected users or the specific cause behind the issue.
While Google has not provided detailed information, the issue appears to be linked to recent privacy updates in Google Maps. The platform has introduced automatic deletion of location history unless users manually adjust their settings. Users who did not have cloud backups enabled may have permanently lost their data.
Steps to Restore Timeline Data
Users who had backups activated can attempt to recover their Timeline data by following these steps:
1. Ensure Google Maps is updated to the latest version.
2. Open the Google Maps app.
3. Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner.
4. Navigate to "Your Timeline."
5. If a cloud backup icon appears, select it to restore the data.
However, if backups were not enabled, the lost data cannot be retrieved.
Preventing Future Data Loss
To safeguard Timeline data, users are advised to enable backups in Google Maps:
1. Open Google Maps on an Android or iOS device.
2. Tap the profile icon and select "Your Timeline."
3. Check for the cloud backup option.
4. If not activated, enable backup to store data securely.
Google encrypts and stores Timeline data in the cloud, with automatic backups occurring when the device is charging and connected to Wi-Fi.
Google Maps has implemented several privacy changes, including features that allow automatic deletion of location history unless manually modified. While these updates aim to enhance user privacy, they also increase the risk of data loss if users do not configure backup settings.
