Disabling Google Location History doesn’t delete personal data already collected by Google; this is how you can do that
However, when using Google Maps, it is easy to accidentally enable the feature. And to make matters worse, if you go to myactivity.google.com, sign in, and toggle off Location History, it will only stop Google from collecting fresh information. All of the data it garnered in the past will still be available at maps.google.com/timeline.
How to stop Google from tracking you
Pausing Web & App Activity will stop Google from tracking you
For example, Google says, “Pausing Web & App Activity may limit or disable more personalized experiences across Google services. For example, you may stop seeing more relevant search results or recommendations about places you care about. This setting will be paused on all sites, apps, and devices signed in to this account. Even when this setting is paused, Google may temporarily use information from recent searches in order to improve the quality of the active search session.”
At the bottom right side of the page you’ll see two buttons: Cancel and Pause. To pause the tracking, scroll down on the page until the Pause button turns blue and then press it. If you’re having second thoughts about pausing the tracking, tap on the Cancel button.
If you follow the directions in this story, not only will you delete all of the Location Data that Google has collected about your comings and goings over the years, you’ll also be able to stop it from collecting the most recent information that could be taken by tracking your Web & App Activity. Even if you pause the tracking and feel that you have lost some capabilities that you’d rather still have, you can go back in to the settings and reverse everything that you’ve done.
