4 ms·

While I do work for Google, this is just standard practice for any map maker since they are required to follow local laws. I find this article to be incendiary

by ajaimk 7y ago

While I do work for Google, this is just standard practice for any map maker since they are required to follow local laws. I find this article to be incendiary singling out a single company and acting as if they are doing this with bad intent which is not the case here.

maxerickson 7y ago
I think most map makers probably aren't doing business in the countries in question and can just do whatever they feel like. (The average cartographer isn't working on maps intended for consumption everywhere...)
Carpetsmoker 7y ago
I don't know if this is accurate, but the article implies that printed maps don't do this kind stuff, or at least less so (e.g. "We try to show as much information as we can, when we can, to help people understand what's going on in a part of the world"). I don't know how Google maps compares to other online maps. > as if they are doing this with bad intent I didn't really read any implications of "bad intent" here, but rather indifference or callousness regarding these issues.
- wyxuan 7y ago
  If printed maps could be changed based on a viewers location, that would definitely be done. However, it can't be done, and authorities recognize that
- detaro 7y ago
  In many cases where the online maps are required to change the view, you won't be able to offer a paper map that disagrees with the official perspective.
- kroltan 7y ago
  Printed maps are printed _somewhere_, and have to follow that where's laws. Naturally, a (for example) US-printed map can draw foreign disputed borders as disputed or either side's. Now, if that same map was to be distributed in one of the disputing countries, that's another story, and even representing disputedness can be illegal. Since Google wants to distribute their maps globally, they can either show the "correct" maps, or block access from people in countries with disputed borders. Their business model being what it is, they chose to redraw maps when necessary.
  - ithkuil 7y ago
    I've seen printed maps of Greece which had an actual label with the word "FYROM" layered on top of the neighboring country if Macedonia. The map was obviously printed outside of Greece

by ajaimk 7y ago

maxerickson 7y ago

I think most map makers probably aren't doing business in the countries in question and can just do whatever they feel like. (The average cartographer isn't working on maps intended for consumption everywhere...)

Carpetsmoker 7y ago

I don't know if this is accurate, but the article implies that printed maps don't do this kind stuff, or at least less so (e.g. "We try to show as much information as we can, when we can, to help people understand what's going on in a part of the world"). I don't know how Google maps compares to other online maps. > as if they are doing this with bad intent I didn't really read any implications of "bad intent" here, but rather indifference or callousness regarding these issues.

wyxuan 7y ago
If printed maps could be changed based on a viewers location, that would definitely be done. However, it can't be done, and authorities recognize that
detaro 7y ago
In many cases where the online maps are required to change the view, you won't be able to offer a paper map that disagrees with the official perspective.
kroltan 7y ago
Printed maps are printed _somewhere_, and have to follow that where's laws. Naturally, a (for example) US-printed map can draw foreign disputed borders as disputed or either side's. Now, if that same map was to be distributed in one of the disputing countries, that's another story, and even representing disputedness can be illegal. Since Google wants to distribute their maps globally, they can either show the "correct" maps, or block access from people in countries with disputed borders. Their business model being what it is, they chose to redraw maps when necessary.
- ithkuil 7y ago
  I've seen printed maps of Greece which had an actual label with the word "FYROM" layered on top of the neighboring country if Macedonia. The map was obviously printed outside of Greece