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There was a lot of controversy previously about mapping applications having "Avoid" areas. They were basically neighborhoods with high crime rates which also h

There was a lot of controversy previously about mapping applications having "Avoid" areas. They were basically neighborhoods with high crime rates which also happened to be neighborhoods with high minority populations. Small business owners/home owners didn't like being grouped as "avoid" when they didn't have any real control over it. Or something like that. [0] http://www.npr.org/2012/01/25/145337346/this-app-was-made-for-walking-but-is-it-racist http://www.npr.org/2012/01/25/145337346/this-app-was-made-fo... [1] www.citylab.com/tech/2012/01/gps-smartphones-and-dumbing-down-personal-navigation/1036/

nickpsecurity 10y ago
It's funny you say that as I just confirmed and cited it in another comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12073592 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12073592 A prior comment related to Amazon Prime's apparent discrimination. I pointed out that Prime was avoiding crime not minorities. Local drivers, which Amazon outsources to, confirmed it for me personally in an unofficial sense where they agreed & personally wouldn't deliver to those areas. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11545009 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11545009 So, it's a recurring theme but the crime angle is usually downplayed by left-leaning media. I agree with Microsoft's approach but I urge companies focus on crime statistics. There are many areas that are white and have tons of violent crime. Many areas are black with little violent crime. It needs to be about avoiding violent areas rather than minority areas specifically.