Date:
March 24, 2025
Google admits to deleting Maps Timeline data for some users, offering partial recovery steps—but falls short of a full apology.
In a rare fumble for Google, the tech giant has admitted to accidentally deleting Maps Timeline data for an undisclosed number of users—data that logs users' location history over time.
The issue surfaced earlier this month when users noticed missing entries in their Timeline feature, which typically shows where they've been on specific days. After initial speculation, Google confirmed the glitch.
"We briefly experienced a technical issue that caused the deletion of Timeline data for some people," said Google spokesperson Genevieve Park in a statement to The Verge.
Can the Lost Data Be Recovered?
Here’s the kicker—not everyone’s data is gone for good. According to Google, users who had location history backups with end-to-end encryption turned on might still be able to restore their information.
For those without encrypted backups, however, the news isn’t as hopeful. If your data wasn’t backed up before the glitch, it’s likely gone for good.
Google has since started guiding affected users through recovery steps, including how to check for encrypted backups. Still, the situation has sparked fresh concerns about data security and backup reliability.
Google’s Non-Apology Email to Users
On March 21, some users received an email from Google explaining the incident—but not quite apologizing for it. The email stated the company had "briefly experienced a technical issue that caused the deletion of Timeline data for some people," echoing the public statement.
The message went on to say that users with encrypted backups might be able to recover their lost timelines by tapping the cloud icon in the Timeline view and selecting the option to import backup data. But those who didn’t have that setting enabled? “Unfortunately, you will not be able to recover lost data,” the email said bluntly.
No apology, no real consolation. The closest Google came to showing regret was saying, “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.” That’s corporate talk for "Oops," if there ever was one.
A Reminder for Users
Maps Timeline is one of those features most people forget exists—until they need it. Whether it’s retracing your steps, verifying a trip, or just checking your location history, it’s often quietly useful.
This incident, though, is a blunt reminder: if you value your data, take backups seriously. Google hasn’t shared how many users were affected, but it’s clear the fallout could’ve been worse had more people had not enabled encrypted backups.
So yeah, check your settings. Make sure your backups are in place. And maybe, just maybe, keep an eye on what your apps are silently collecting—and what they might lose.
