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Google Maps new Timeline feature is creepy but useful

You’re only lying to yourself, guys.

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If you own a mobile device, and have opted into location tracking in one or more of Google’s many services, such as Google Photos or Google Now, the company is keeping a record of your past movements.

That will stop Google Maps from collecting places you go with your devices and adding them to your Location History map.

However, if you’re anxious your daily activities and actions might fall into wrong hands, Google has looked to quell concern.

The company announced a new Timeline feature on Wednesday that turns all that data into a handy recap of your every move, even if it’s also a little creepy to see just how much Google knows. Earlier this month, for instance, the Washington, D.C.-based Electronic Privacy Information Center sent a letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice asking those agencies to investigate whether such devices “violate federal wiretap laws that prohibit the unlawful interception of private communications”.

Users can also edit places that appear, including removing a specific location or giving a frequented spot a private name.

“This means you can easily delete a day or your full history at any time”.

Other customisation options include the ability to wipe any locations or an entire day from your history altogether.

When it comes to the location timeline in Google Maps, people could use the tool to track things like what parts of town they visit the most or how often they go to the grocery store.

So far, Timeline is only available for Android devices and desktop computers.

Note that disabling all location-finding features will throw a monkey wrench into the functioning of some popular apps, so it’s wise to carefully consider which you want to strip of location services.

– Below the Location History, jsut press the “Delete Location History” to clear the cache locations. This won’t get posted to your Facebook or Google Plus account; it’s for your eyes only.

Either disable all Location Services using the slider at the top, or scroll through the list to decide, case-by-case, which apps you want to allow. Go to the webpage, at the bottom corner just select Pause.

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The app displays the results on a spaghetti-like map.

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