Google has announced a critical privacy update requiring users to **update their settings by May 18, 2025,** or risk losing their **Google Maps Timeline data** permanently. This change is part of Google's shift towards **enhanced data privacy and security**.

1. What’s Changing?

Google’s **Timeline feature**, which tracks past locations, will no longer store data in the cloud. Instead, all **saved visits and route history** will now be kept on users' smartphones. If no action is taken, **this data will be erased permanently after May 18**.

2. Why Is Google Making This Change?

By moving location history to **personal devices**, Google aims to enhance **privacy and security**, reducing the risks of **data breaches** and **unauthorized access**. This update aligns with broader industry trends prioritizing **user-controlled data storage**.

3. What Happens If You Don’t Act Before May 18?

  • ❌ **Your Timeline visit and route history will be deleted.**
  • ❌ **The Timeline feature will be disabled for your account.**
  • ❌ **Google will no longer store visit data in the cloud.**
  • ✔️ **Your devices will still collect new location data unless you disable it.**

4. How to Prevent Data Loss & Update Privacy Settings

  • 📌 **Update Google Maps** – Ensure you're using the latest version.
  • 📌 **Review Your Location Settings** – Open **Google Maps > Settings > Location History** and adjust preferences.
  • 📌 **Enable Timeline Sync** – Keep the feature active to continue saving data locally.
  • 📌 **Download Your Data** – Export past location history via **Google Takeout** before May 18.

5. Privacy Implications of This Update

Google states that **location history is never shared with third parties** but may still be used for:

  • ✔️ **Personalized recommendations** (e.g., restaurant suggestions based on past visits).
  • ✔️ **Fraud prevention and security monitoring.**
  • ✔️ **Improving Google services, including advertising.**

6. Final Thoughts

Google’s **May 18 deadline** is a significant privacy update that users should not ignore. Whether you choose to keep your Timeline data or let it be erased, ensuring your **privacy settings are correctly updated** is essential to avoid **data loss**.