Google has confirmed a technical error that resulted in the permanent deletion of Google Maps Timeline data for numerous users. The incident has left many users unable to recover years of their location history.
According to reports, users began noticing their Timeline data had completely vanished when attempting to view their location history in Google Maps. The issue appears unrelated to recent Google Maps Timeline feature changes that required user action to preserve data.
On March 21, Google sent emails to affected users acknowledging the technical issue. The company explained that only users with encrypted backups enabled may be able to restore their lost data. For those without backups, the deletion appears to be permanent with no possibility of recovery.
"We understand that this can be frustrating if you use Timeline to remember places you've visited, and we are taking steps to improve our systems for the future," Google stated in the email to impacted users.
Users with the latest version of Google Maps who maintained encrypted backups can attempt recovery by:
- Opening their Timeline
- Clicking the cloud icon
- Selecting the option to import a backup
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining regular backups of personal data to protect against unexpected technical issues or cyber threats. Google has not provided details on the exact cause of the deletion or the total number of users affected.
The company's response has drawn criticism from users for lacking a formal apology while acknowledging the permanent loss of years of personal location data for those without backups enabled.