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

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

272 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/

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 3 months ago (3 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 23 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 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 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 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.