Google Maps Update Disables Navigation, Unless Data Collection Is Enabled

Google Maps

Gone are the days where people carry maps, as navigation is now digitized, thanks to modern devices and the internet.

And one of the most popular, that should be at least inside most people's pockets, is Google Maps, the web mapping platform and consumer application that offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets, real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling, and more.

The reason why Google Maps is so popular, is because uses crowdsource information to populate its content.

This concept involves each and every user running the app to contribute with relevant data to the service.

For example, users share their location and "navigation data" to help Google Maps predict road traffic, re-routes, and more, and allowing turn-by-turn navigation. All that in real time.

Back in September 2020. Google said that over 1 billion kilometers are "driven with" the app every day around the world. That corpus of this navigation data is the very thing that makes Google Maps the "Google Maps" people know and use.

It's the thing that makes Google Maps more than just a map.

However, not everyone likes the idea of Google 'stalking' their every movement. This is why many disable Google Maps from gathering their navigation data.

To make things fair, Google continues to allow users to continue using its Google Maps service.

However, in an update for users on both Android and iOS, Google starts to explicitly asks users for their permission to gather their navigation data as part of its crowdsource campaign.

Through a dialog box, Google provides an overview of how “How navigation data makes Maps better” and appears after users tap “Start” on the directions page.

"Google uses your and other people’s navigation data to improve Maps for everyone. As you navigate, Google collects details, such as GPS location and the route you took. This data may be used to make information, including real-time traffic conditions and disruptions, visible to others and help them find the fastest route," said Google.

With the update, Google is explicitly laying out what powers that last capability to end users, and requiring them to agree to crowdsourcing to use it.

Google Maps

Everyone knows Google, and most of those people know that Google thrives on users information to power its ads.

To keep its business profitable, Google runs one of the most sophisticated tracking systems and ads targeting methods. Privacy concerned users have always keep their distance with Google, in a way to at least limit what the tech giant can collect from them.

And this update here for Google Maps, is presumably related to the “we protect your privacy” messaging that started at Google I/O 2021.

This is because Google noted that the Google Map navigation data is not “associated with your Google Account or device.”

For users who don't agree to contribute their data, Google will disable live turn-by-turn navigation. Another of saying it, Google wants users to agree, or stop using turn-by-turn navigation completely in Google Maps.

It should be noted that the update isn't necessary a big deal, considering that most people already agreed with the whole thing before the prompt was introduced in the app.

So overall, it’s a step forward towards more transparency on the data collection front. And accepting the prompt won't change anything about how the app previously worked, nor will the app share with Google anything users weren't previously sharing.

This update is just a courtesy.

It just serves to keep users informed about the information they're sharing with Google. And if they're not good with that, users can reject it and not share that information, and expect the app to work differently.

Published: 
27/08/2021