Trusted Contacts won’t be supported after December 1, 2020

Trusted Contacts won’t be supported after December 1, 2020(contacts.google.com)

11 points by Geeflow 5 years ago | 6 comments

danepowell 5 years ago |

From the email to Trusted Contacts users:

> Since then, we’ve built this functionality directly into Google Maps with Location Sharing

That's simply not true. You can share your location with someone else, but you can't request it from someone else _and_ automatically receive it after a timeout, in case they are incapacitated. This was probably 90% of the reason to use Trusted Contacts.

I understand that companies need to kill some products so others can thrive, but don't gaslight me into thinking that functionality exists where it does not.

Geeflow 5 years ago | |

My thoughts exactly. Location Sharing in Google Maps is a totally different use case.

Commercially it was probably a tough sell. Engagement metrics were probably abysmal - since you only need it in exceptional circumstances.

It's really sad though. This was one of the products that really stood out for me. Not just a gimmick, but something that can really make a difference. I wish Google had shown a bit more idealism and kept it around.

renewiltord 5 years ago | |

How did the application function in the past? The other party would pre-approve you and then you could request location on-demand? Interesting.

I didn't even know of this app. I just have my location perma-shared with my friends.

m-p-3 5 years ago | | |

You add them into your trusted contacts, and those contacts can request your current position on-demand. You can either accept, deny or it will auto-accept if left alone. You are always aware if a request was sent, nothing is done without your knowledge even after the fact.

With Google Maps you have to share no in-between.

danepowell 5 years ago | | |

> The other party would pre-approve you and then you could request location on-demand?

Precisely, and you could set a timeout (5 minutes, 24 hours, whatever) to automatically provide the location unless you intervene to deny the request.