Google Maps is testing a new ad format that gives users the option to add a stop for a sponsored location during navigation.

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

      • akilou@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        0·
        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.eeEnglish
          0·
          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.

      • BadlyDrawnRhino @aussie.zoneEnglish
        0·
        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.

      • Salix@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        0·
        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.

    • flamingo_pinyata@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      0·
      5 months ago

      Unfortunately not, and the time estimates are quite inaccurate. Sigh, it’s the price for not having to deal with Googles shit