Great news (or not so) if you're a Google Maps user! The Timeline feature is getting a big privacy upgrade. Here's what's happening:

• Local Storage: Your Timeline data will now be stored directly on your device. This means no more automatic syncing across different devices.

• No More Web Access: You'll no longer be able to access your Timeline via the web. Everything will be kept on your phone, making it more secure.

• Backup Options: Google Maps will let you save encrypted copies of your location history on their servers. This is handy for when you switch phones and want to keep your data.

What You Need to Do for Migration:

• Google will notify you via email and push notification to move your existing location history to your device. Make sure you act by the deadline (some users have until December 1, 2024) or risk losing your data.

The update is rolling out gradually, so keep an eye on your notifications from Google Maps!

My Opinion

Honestly, I don't see this as a privacy boost. If you were concerned about privacy, you could simply turn off Location History. The catch now is that you still upload data to Google's servers, but it’s no longer free and will consume your Google Drive space, potentially pushing you to paid plans.

Storing data locally also means if your phone is lost or stolen, criminals could potentially access your lifetime location history (some users report having up to 12 years' worth of data). Previously, you could remotely cut off data access and wipe the device as soon as it connected to the internet, now criminals could crack open your data without ever connecting to the internet and triggering a wipe command. Personally, I'm less concerned about government agencies like the CIA or FBI accessing my data and more worried about criminals exploiting my movement data for potential future exploits or assaults. They could learn where I live, work, and hang out, which poses serious risks.

What's your take on this update?

For more details, check out the TechRadar article.