832

Google Maps tests new pop-up ads that give you an unnecessary detour (www.androidauthority.com)

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by flop_leash_973@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

262 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Jesus, that is a gross way to inject advertising into turn-by-turn navigation.

Edit/update from 9to5google so this post does not spread what is apparently inaccurate information: https://9to5google.com/2024/07/08/google-maps-pop-up-quick-detour-ad/

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] infeeeee@lemm.ee 24 points 5 months ago

No.

The only OpenStreetMap based navigation app with live traffic data is Magic Earth. It's not foss, but gratis.

They get the traffic data from some third party, not by following their users like gmaps. That is the reason live traffic is only available in just some countries: https://www.magicearth.com/feature-availablity/#hd_traffic

[-] Salix@sh.itjust.works 23 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

They get the traffic data from some third party, not by following their users like gmaps.

https://www.magicearth.com/faq-en/

Do you share data with third parties?

We send position data to our traffic provider to generate real-time traffic information. The data is anonymized on the phone, using a changing key (so it's not linked to you), and it is deleted after 5 minutes.

They have a good privacy policy though. I haven't really had many issues with their app.

[-] BadlyDrawnRhino@aussie.zone 5 points 5 months ago

Thanks for this, I'm going to try this out on my way home. My main use for Gmaps is to determine the quickest way to and from work during peak hour, so keen to see how Magic Earth's traffic data compares.

[-] akilou@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

But at that point what are you even gaining? If you're looking for privacy you're just trading Google tracking you for "third party service provider" tracking you

[-] infeeeee@lemm.ee 6 points 5 months ago

No. It means they get the data from somewhere else, maybe from some carsharing app, or from some government db from car counting thingies mounted on traffic lights, etc. There are other sources to get traffic data ftom, but usually following users is more convenient and reliable

They wont tell us where they get it from, they only say it's not generated via this app. They are followimg someone, but not me.

this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2024

832 points (93.6% liked)

Technology

60062 readers

1360 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.

Our Rules

Follow the lemmy.world rules.
Only tech related content.
Be excellent to each another!
Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
Politics threads may be removed.
No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS