DIGITAL MARKETING
There was a time when users were tired of feeling like Google Maps knew their every move. Well, fret no more! The company just announced a bunch of updates that give you more power over your location data. This means you can decide how long Google keeps track of where you have been and what information it stores. That’s not all, with Google Maps’ new update on location history you can now even delete specific places you have visited.
New Features You Need to Know About Google Map
Your Timeline, On Your Terms
For users who enable ‘Location History,’ their Timeline data will now be saved on their device. Users can delete specific parts or all of this information or disable the setting at any time. Google will also encrypt all Timeline data backed up on the Cloud, ensuring even Google cannot access it. The default ‘auto-delete’ control for location history will now be set to three months, down from the previous 18 months. but users can customize this period or turn off auto-delete. These changes will roll out gradually on Android and iOS throughout the next year.
Power Of Deleting Place-Related Activity
Let’s say you visited a doctor’s office and want that off your map forever. No problem! Soon, users will be able to delete recent activity related to a specific location on Google Maps. This includes searches, directions, visits, and shares. This feature will be available on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.
Location Controls via the Blue Dot
That little blue dot that shows where you are? It’s getting a makeover according to the Google Maps new update on location history. With a tap, you can see if Location History and Timeline are on, and even check if Maps has access to your location. It’s your control center, right at your fingertips. These new controls will be available on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.
Privacy reminders and prompts
Google Maps will now periodically remind you about your location settings and prompt you to review and adjust them as needed. This helps ensure you are always aware of how your location data is being used.
Overall, the recent Google Maps update focuses on giving users more control and transparency over their location data. This aligns with growing privacy concerns and empowers users to make informed decisions about how their location information is used.
Why It Matters?
This update resolves issues raised by lawsuits claiming fraudulent monitoring methods for targeted adverts and constraints on user privacy. The improvements aim to empower consumers and improve their privacy and are in line with a $9.5 million settlement reached earlier this year with the US District of Columbia. Storing location and timeline data on the user’s device and permitting the deletion of place-related activities are both excellent moves toward providing consumers greater control over their data and resolving privacy concerns.
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