Google Maps Timeline weirdness
Discussion
I just received an email notification from Google about my Google Maps Timeline - i.e. the places I've been over the past year. I don't mind having this switched on, I find it quite interesting, even though it's pretty useless and I know a lot of people don't like being "tracked". Personally I'm not bothered.
Well I wasn't. Until now.
The timeline shows up three locations in Germany, which I am pretty sure I've never visited in my life, apart from possibly passing through in either 2004 or 1995/6, both of which are before the existence of, or at least my possession of, a Google maps app or account.
Clicking on these location dots doesn't show any information about when I am alleged to have been there. Similarly strangely is a lack of locations I know I have visited.
So it's getting it wrong in both directions.
Now the latter doesn't worry me too much, but the former? Hmm. Has someone/thing accessed my Google account in these places in Germany at some time? What other explanation could there be? Although thinking about it, it would probably be best to know if something nefarious was going on.
I'm a bit puzzled.
Well I wasn't. Until now.
The timeline shows up three locations in Germany, which I am pretty sure I've never visited in my life, apart from possibly passing through in either 2004 or 1995/6, both of which are before the existence of, or at least my possession of, a Google maps app or account.
Clicking on these location dots doesn't show any information about when I am alleged to have been there. Similarly strangely is a lack of locations I know I have visited.
So it's getting it wrong in both directions.
Now the latter doesn't worry me too much, but the former? Hmm. Has someone/thing accessed my Google account in these places in Germany at some time? What other explanation could there be? Although thinking about it, it would probably be best to know if something nefarious was going on.
I'm a bit puzzled.
The Google Maps community forums have a lot of posts about similar issues, some quite amusing as they're from people with partners who are certain they're cheating as Google says they have been elsewhere.
They have issues now and again and things go to pot, I doubt it's anything as concerning as someone accessing your account, normally if this happens Google identify a new machine and email you anyway don't they? (maybe you need to enable this?)
There was talk of it using WiFi (that's detected, not actually connected to) to locate your position at one point and discussion around some hotspots incorrectly reporting where they are due to weird routing, VPNs etc so it could be something like that. (Android settings > Location Access > Advanced - should show is WiFi Scanning and Bluetooth Scanning are enabled).
I wouldn't worry but have a look at your account settings and check everything looks OK, maybe look at enabling their 2-Step Verification option and installing Google Authenticator on your phone.
For your lack of location timeline entries issue have you checked that location history is still enable and that your GPS settings (location access) are set to allow Maps access? Sometimes power saving modes disable it due to Maps being a high battery use app.As above also check if your WiFi / Bluetooth scanning options are enabled to improve accuracy when GPS isn't 100%.
They have issues now and again and things go to pot, I doubt it's anything as concerning as someone accessing your account, normally if this happens Google identify a new machine and email you anyway don't they? (maybe you need to enable this?)
There was talk of it using WiFi (that's detected, not actually connected to) to locate your position at one point and discussion around some hotspots incorrectly reporting where they are due to weird routing, VPNs etc so it could be something like that. (Android settings > Location Access > Advanced - should show is WiFi Scanning and Bluetooth Scanning are enabled).
I wouldn't worry but have a look at your account settings and check everything looks OK, maybe look at enabling their 2-Step Verification option and installing Google Authenticator on your phone.
For your lack of location timeline entries issue have you checked that location history is still enable and that your GPS settings (location access) are set to allow Maps access? Sometimes power saving modes disable it due to Maps being a high battery use app.As above also check if your WiFi / Bluetooth scanning options are enabled to improve accuracy when GPS isn't 100%.
Edited by thetapeworm on Friday 10th January 14:01
My timeline shows me a few hundred km west of Sao Tome, in the Gulf of Guinea, at one point... 
When I click it, the details are for an RSPB sanctuary in Scotland that I know I have visited, but some bright spark has set the co-ordinates as 0 degrees East and 0 degrees North
In this case, I'll definitely blame incompetence rather than malice
When I click it, the details are for an RSPB sanctuary in Scotland that I know I have visited, but some bright spark has set the co-ordinates as 0 degrees East and 0 degrees North
In this case, I'll definitely blame incompetence rather than malice
snuffy said:
A couple of years ago on a Med cruise it would log me somewhere 100s of miles away. It kept doing it all holiday and always to the same incorrect place. Maybe it used the ship's wife and the incorrect location was where said wifi was registered?
Probably using a maritime VSAT system and registering the location shore-side kit rather than the boat. Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff