The reason you can’t always trust map apps
Beware of putting complete faith in your digital guides. Many a traveller has lived to regret it.
They aren’t perfect
Just as with paper maps, an app is only as good as the people who designed it. That means that there can be flaws that will lead you in the wrong direction. This is especially problematic because of the total faith that people have in these apps – they can’t imagine they would ever steer them wrong. This is how people have ended up in trouble by doggedly following a route even when it leads them right into a lake or onto a beach. As with everything, use your common sense.
They don’t always adapt in real time
Apps do a pretty good of adjusting to real time situations, like traffic or road closures. But once again they aren’t perfect. If there has been heavy rain or storms a road could be closed, yet the app will still direct you to follow the same route. You need to keep up to date on local events that could affect your driving, especially if you’re travelling in an area that you’re unfamiliar with. If road conditions seem unsafe then it’s best to go with your gut rather than trust an app.
They can be influenced by money
One of the great things about digital maps is that they can show you specific things you’re looking for – like coffee shops or supermarkets – rather than just street addressed. Be aware though that these kind of listings can operate on a type of paid priority placement. For example, if you’re after a cup of coffee a large chain like Starbucks could have paid to appear in your search while a small independent café will miss out. You may be better off searching for a place on the web and then using your map app to find the exact address.
They can be discriminatory
In 2013 some bright spark launched a service called Ghetto Tracker that let users rate neighbourhoods on safety so, in theory, travellers could avoid dangerous areas. The backlash was swift as people accused the program of racism and classism as it encouraged people to stigmatise entire regions with little factual evidence. Other programs have been accused of similar processes, leading tourists out of the way to travel through ‘safe’ areas while avoiding those perceived to be ‘dangerous’. We’re not saying that you should ignore your safety and go wherever you want in a new city, but rather to think about the deep-seated prejudices that can come into these kind of apps.
They can be deliberately manipulated
The best example of this app phenomenon is China. For reasons of national security, every street, building and landmark is just slightly off the mark when it comes to digital mapping. You might find that your map has you standing in the middle of a harbour or on top of a freeway bridge, rather than in the park where you actually are. Be aware that maps – no matter how sophisticated – are just a representation of how things are on the ground, so are susceptible to interference.
Do you think today’s travellers are overly reliant on map apps? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Related links:
5 ways your smartphone chews through data
What to do when you lose a phone
Can you spot the error in this world map