Scenic Route Option Excluded Due to Concerns Over Bias, Says Former Google Maps Researcher
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A former Google Maps UX researcher has revealed the rationale behind the company’s decision not to include a “scenic route” option in its navigation app. The decision, influenced by concerns over potential bias against low-income areas, highlights the impact of corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies on product design.
In a recently deleted thread on X/Twitter, Kasey Klimes, who served as a Senior UX Researcher for Google Maps from 2017 to 2021, disclosed that Google engineers avoided implementing a scenic route feature due to the potential for introducing bias. Klimes explained that the current algorithm is objective, and adding variables for “nice” or “scenic” routes would require subjective judgments that could disproportionately favor high-income areas.
The reason Google Maps sent you down a 'low-income' route and you got mugged is because a group of Google Engineers decided we needed to redistribute your money according to their desires. https://t.co/rT6D8TXETH pic.twitter.com/jW13z3sEoe
— saila (@sailaunderscore) June 16, 2024
Klimes pointed out that including such variables could lead to users being directed through more affluent areas with attractive features, inadvertently diverting foot traffic and economic activity away from lower-income neighborhoods. This could exacerbate economic disparities by funneling tax dollars into wealthier areas.
Following intense scrutiny and speculation that Google may have intervened, Klimes deleted the thread and locked his X/Twitter account. Critics argued that the company’s DEI-influenced decision-making could lead to users being directed into areas with potentially higher crime rates.
This is actually mind blowing. Google maps doesn’t have a scenic route option because of DEI. And people wonder why Google is getting crushed and all their products are garbage pic.twitter.com/R6RBJtgYWP
— Aleph (@woke8yearold) June 16, 2024
Rather than incorporating the scenic route feature, Google has focused on integrating generative AI into its Maps app. The company has also introduced a feature to analyze reviews of EV charging stations to better guide users.
Meanwhile, Google faces increasing competition from Apple, which is enhancing its Maps app for hiking enthusiasts. The upcoming release of iOS 18 will allow users to create and save trail routes with turn-by-turn directions and download them for offline viewing. The app will support popular trails across all 63 U.S. National Parks.
For more details, read the full article at Toms Guide.