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Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and TomTom have launched their open map dataset
(www.theverge.com)
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this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2023
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While this is not bad, didn't these companies considered just contributing to OpenStreetMap? Why is starting a new thing better?
Can’t collect data on users without starting their own thing.
Sounds like you don't actually know much about it. This is a map dataset, they have no way of tracking people once it is independently implemented. They also could have just released a map app using OSM and collected data from that, there was nothing stopping them.
They explained in their FAQ why this is a separate project:
I never claimed to know everything about it, but fair enough, I definitely may have misunderstand that aspect. Thanks for the clarification!
Sorry I used a bit of a rude tone. Just wanted to make sure misconceptions weren't spread.
Totally understandable. I don’t want to come off like I was well read on this, I was definitely jumping to a conclusion based on the companies involved.
How would data collection work in this case though?
It wouldn't. It's an open set of data that anybody can use. These companies can, and likely will, create their own map tools that will track users, but they just as easily could have done so using OSM.
With their own map apps for phones and such, possibly
Either by launching their own apps or by having access to Overture’s usage stats and meta data.
That must be it, all these companies are known to give not a single fuck about privacy.