Gmail users must check accounts now for important email as Google prepares to delete data forever

THE SUN

GOOGLE is warning users that data from a popular service will be purged very soon unless they take action.

The tech giant has been stepping up emails cautioning people about the move before it’s too late.

Gmail users will notice the email in their inboxes – though the changes actually concern one of Google’s other popular apps, Google Maps.

The Timeline feature – previously known as Location History – on Google Maps keeps hold of the previous places you’ve visited via the platform.

This can be particularly useful for remembering special spots such as where you met a partner or a fancy restaurant you once visited.

And it’s also handy for keeping track of places you’ve visited on holiday in years gone by.

“You have Timeline turned on for your account, which helps you go back in time and remember where you’ve been,” the email reads.

“With Timeline, your visits and routes are automatically saved to a map on each of your devices.

“This is a reminder that Timeline is changing.

“Now, if you choose to keep Timeline on, all of your devices will save new visits on their own Timelines – including any devices that previously had Location History reporting turned off.

“Because of these changes, you need to choose new settings to avoid losing Timeline data.”

Users have until May 18 to make a choice.

If you fail to act before then, all Timeline data on your account will be automatically deleted.

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