| Google Maps to Store Data Locally on User Devices Starting December 1, 2024 |
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| From December 1, 2024, Google will begin to store the data of Google Maps locally on user devices, rather than in their Google accounts. |
| These changes were first announced in December 2023, where Google also revealed a reduction in the automatic data removal period for included locations from 18 to 3 months. |
| The Google Maps chronology allows users to track their routes, trips, and visited places, along with settings for location history and internet and app activity. However, by transferring the storage of this data to user devices, the ability to view it in a web version will no longer be available. |
| Updates will be rolled out gradually to all Google Maps users. It is also recommended that users enable backup to preserve an encrypted copy of their location history data on Google servers, which will make it easier to transfer when changing devices. |
| These changes are part of Google’s response to accusations of misleading users and illegal monitoring of their movements, even with location history enabled. |
| Disabling location history only prevents the addition of movements to the history log and viewing of daily trips, but does not stop the collection of other location markers by Google. Google has settled disputes with several US states related to this issue, agreeing to pay $62 million to non-profit organizations in April 2024. A lawsuit in Texas is still pending. |
/Reports, release notes, official announcements.