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Boycott USGoogle has decided to rename Lake Ontario in the US. Please uninstall Google Maps.
While I understand they’re pulling data from the US government, they have no actual legal obligation to comply. This is entirely a choice an executive at Google made.
Did you know: When you click a link on Google and then go there Google tracks your location and links it to all your ads. This feature is called Local Search Ads, and you can hit Google’s pocketbook directly in protest by not having Google Maps installed.
When you have Google Maps installed Google is always tracking you. That tracking data feeds into a lot of products: things like mapping cell and wifi networks to geolocations, ads, recaptcha, search, and more. Google stores a profile of who you are, where you live, where you work, who you visit, etc.
If uninstalling is too much for you go to your Google account and disable Location History in privacy settings. Alternatively, click your user profile icon and turn on incognito mode, which disabled tracking and other features.
This will reduce the data linked to your profile (though, in reality, there’s no assurance this does anything, like when that disabled Nest camera was used by the FBI last year).
Browsing without an account does not have the effect. If you simply log out you have no privacy limitations enabled.
As a side note, the funniest possible reaction that Canada could have here would be to rename Lake Michigan to Lake Inferior
Rename the other 4 lakes some variation of "Lake Legal Adult Citizen," so that the pedofile won't touch them.
Lake Erie -> Lake Epstein
I hear you, but I worry that would make him want to actually own it or visit it, or something.
Maybe he'd bomb it if it was Lake Epstien Files....
if you want people to quit something, you better offer alternatives.
- OSM (OpenStreetMap https://openstreetmap.org/ ) is a good candidate but it lacks some essential features, including satellite view and public transport routing.
OsmAnd which is OSM-based has both satellite view (which you can also save for offline viewing if needed) and primitive public transport (good enough for dense cities with rapid transit). It's not easy to set up and get used to but if you're ok with computers, give it a spin.
Otherwise there's mapy, which also has those features but is much easier to use and more polished. Not FOSS though.
I'm currently on a long weekend city break in a European capital using only OsmAnd+ offline for navigation & tram/metro public transport. As normal it's been absolutely flawless.
Gives us options on tram numbers to take & shows the tram final destination so we can easily tell direction of travel at the tram stops.
OsmAnd+ offline Wiki is also a goldmine as a tourist in a foreign city. Combined with Joplin notes about everything we might like to see & we are all set for exploring with no wasted time.
Joplin top tip for travel: Set up a checklist note for packing. Tick items as you pack to leave. Untick as you pack to come home. Ensures you never forget anything
I tried OsmAnd in the past, I paid for it and it's still installed in my phone, but I keep going back to Google Maps for "default" maps. OsmAnd is missing the Cycle Map layer of openstreetmaps.org and is not super useful in my case. And we all know Google Maps is very bad for cycling too, but it's good at finding places, so I just make my own route instead of using the four lane artery it suggested me to cycle on.
The exception is when I'm hiking or walking long distances and need to find/record my position on a map, relative to a pedestrian path or hiking trail. For this I've always used AlpineQuest. I don't know if it's made by Americans though. AlpineQuest also has the Cycle Map layer, so it's my second favourite map app, but I mainly use it when I'm in a big park, or not in a city.
Still, openstreetmaps.org with the Cycle Map layer is wonderful for planning cycling and hiking routes by yourself. Unfortunately it's just absolutely bad at making any kind of route by itself.
I've just heard about CoMaps recently. I also don't know if it's mainly American, but it's open source, community driven, and based on OSM data, which is important. It has adresses and seems like a promising alternative to Google Maps for my "default" searches, so I'm going to give it a try. However it's just an app and there doesn't seem to be a simple website matching the mobile experience, so I'm kind of guessing that I won't try it for long.
OsmAnd is missing the Cycle Map layer of openstreetmaps.org and is not super useful in my case.
Do you mean CyclOSM? If so, you just have to configure some settings, although I agree it's non-obvious.
No. I can get CyclOSM on OsmAnd but I really don't like it because it's too busy and difficult to tell the difference between types of bike paths. Also, CyclOSM has always been very slow in a browser on any of my computers, having tiles taking a few dozen seconds to load. Cycle Map is the layer next to CyclOSM and to me, it's very useful because it highlights major paths, by national, regional and local. A bit like showing the highways for bikes. Both layers are useful but given that CyclOSM is very very slow, and lacks those highlights, I prefer Cycle Map.
::: spoiler For reference, CyclOSM looks like this when there's no tiles missing: :::
::: spoiler And Cycle Map looks like this: :::
I've tried but I can't find shit on there, sometimes even when I directly paste the address. Magic Earth is still not as good but much closer.
If you combine ME with the apple maps web beta you can get closer to the functionality of Gmaps.
I understand that both of these aren't as good for privacy as OSM.
can't find shit on there
Acastus is what solved the Problem for me. Yes, it's a second app which is a annoying, but it works vers well.
Here’s Google’s blog post on how they’re fecklessly obeying
https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/maps/gnis-lake-ontario-lake-america-name-change/
Remember, if they do this, what else are they surrendering to the US administration?
While I haven't looked into it, OSM might also have a discussion up about adding the "lake america" label as a regional alternative name. They did that for a previous trump tantrum too.
However, I find that my feelings towards each organization depend on the intent behind the action. When OSM adds that label, it's being done for cartographic reasons and I don't mind that. When Google does it, especially this quickly, it feels like it's being done for appeasement reasons.
Also with Google, everyone in the US sees that name. Whereas with OSM, you would be choosing to use the trump tantrum labels.
My first impression with CoMaps: Wow!
there's just no alternative for user ratings, that's the only thing keeping me from deleting google maps
Same, it’s nice, I like that the maps are offline… Google and Apple both have had me driving through stretches of white background because they don’t even bother to download your route.
Same here too. First time learning about it and going to more heavily test this week, but so far it looks pretty good :). Great tips in this thread.
OsmAnd~ is also good like that, you can download the various map styles for overlay
Maybe I did something wrong but I used Comaps to go to a very big, very clearly marked government building and it directed me like, two blocks over even though the address was right. Any thoughts on that? Should I just use it more? This specific example was downtown in a very big US city, so maybe that's part of it?
Does the building appear in the correct location on the map? If so, then it might be a bug. I haven't had that happen myself
If not, then it's possible that the data was entered wrong, and you can fix it for everyone. I'll wait for someone else to share better instructions, but in short it's
- make an openstreetmaps account
- use the website, or another openstreetmaps editing tool and enter the data
- once the data is uploaded, comaps pushes it out to everyone on the next maps update (weekly or bimonthly I think?)
If you watch it sends you to address blocks not the address.
why doesn't china just make an official proclamation declaring taiwan and hong kong are chinese territories? by this logic, google would have to rename it.
In what way is Hong Kong not a Chinese territory? Did someone sleep through the 1997 handover?
Google is already kinda not available in china
I already changed from Google Maps. I think if you are using google fiber now would be the time to find a new provider. There are probably local isp alternatives in your area.
People didn't bother when The Gulf Of Mexico was changed, and that ones displayed globaly.
Lake Ontario is only displayed as Lake America in America. Canadian's still see Lake Ontario, and the rest of the world sees both (though I've not seen a screenshot of both displayed yet, besides in this article)
I doubt very many people will care enough to change habbits.
That said, I've been slowly transitioning to Organic Maps, which uses OpenStreetMap data. Just as part of a general 'fuck America and it's products'
People didn’t bother when The Gulf Of Mexico was changed, and that ones displayed globaly.
Really? https://lemmy.ca/post/39089906
I doubt very many people will care enough to change habbits.
Many might but likely not the majority of people, its still good to encourage so why downplay on a post trying to achieve that?
This is one of those “the second best time to plant a tree is today” situations for me.
I share the sentiment about people reacting differently, but I'm up for anything to reduce google's popularity. Time to advertise comaps and other foss ones!
My issue is traffic data is very very helpful. Last time I used Comaps I spent over an hour longer stuck in traffic cause a highway was closed.
Use HERE We Go as an alternative.
It's based in Germany.
https://wego.here.com/
loads very slowly for me. lots of people checking it out rn?
otherwise seems to work fine for me.
I will def try it out
What service would you recommend I use instead? I use it a lot for restaurants and pathfinding on bicycle in Copenhagen
Comaps seems pretty good and is widely suggested, it has an outdoor mode which might go well with your cycling (including height contour lines)
I’ve used Apple Maps for a long time
I also came here to recommend CoMaps. It's an offline map service (you download the regional maps you need) and they're privacy-focused. I installed it through F-Droid, just to further avoid Google and their Play Store.
CoMaps uses data from OpenStreetMap, so it's community-driven content. Missing information on the map? Go add it on OpenStreetMap and it'll eventually populate on CoMaps. As well as other public maps.
I noticed my quiet countryside neighborhood didn't exist on any maps, which made receiving mail/deliveries tricky (my neighbors regularly received my packages, and vice versa). So I added the streets and houses in my neighborhood to OpenStreetMap and now my neighborhood pops up on Google and Bing maps. Haven't had a delivery issue since!
Thanks, will check them out! For a long time Apple didn't have bicycle routes in Copenhagen but I see they have it now as well.
HERE We Go
The irony is Lake America is the smallest of the Great Lakes.
OpenStreet Maps (the map source used by compaps and organic maps) does not have street addresses, as far as I can tell none of the apps that use it have a way to know about road closures or even bother to webscrape reviews of restaurants. It's fine in those weird cities with square blocks I guess but anyone could navigate those with a normal map, what about places with out of order street addresses, regularly closed roads, or even just bus schedules?
But what map would my car use for Android Auto?
https://www.comaps.app/support/how-to-use-android-auto/
Comaps has Android Auto support
OsmAnd too. But only when installed from Google Play for both of them.
It works if installed from Play store not from being installed any other way.
I don’t know how Android Auto works. CarPlay allows different maps, so hopefully Android can do the same
Block ads. All the benefits of google services without increasing their bottom line.
Does anyone know of alternatives that give public transit directions? For desktop and/or Android.
Transit used to work quite well for me
doesn't work on desktop, requires an app, therefore hard no
seems to cover some weird regions but not others, like Ketchikan (8000 people) but not fairbanks (32000 people)
If uninstalling is too much for you.
I really do not think that would be to much for the people who have been able to come to Lemmy to do, we are obviously on the right side of the bell curve, I will say that as I do not like the concept of IQ!
The only Google service I still use is youtube but I have ads blocked via the Unwatched app on my iPad or iPhone. Sure maybe Apple is trying to watch me, but I VPN back into my LAN with pihole running and all the location services turned off. In a year or two I plan on getting a new motorola phone as it will be able to have Graphin installed on it. I am really debating on what I want to do with replacing my ipad as I want something I can put a touch version of Debian on.
I can’t assume everyone’s situation.
I haven’t used Google Maps in years, but I was just on a road trip where everyone else used it, so I installed it so I could view the itinerary and navigate without opening Google Maps internal links, and copy and pasting or retyping everything.
Some people use it to find restaurants and stuff (though it’s increasingly used to do that via ad extortion).
If you can only do a little bit, do a little bit.
Uh, why is this the line and not "Gulf of America?" Is there something about this that got your attention more?
Edit: oh look, the Canadians didn't like a comment that didn't pander to the saviour narrative. Not reading anymore copy/paste responses.
It's honestly worse that you guys just make up shit and aren't even original about it. I'm pointing out that them caring only when it effects an affluent white country they're related to is disingenuous bullshit, and it is.
What did I make up?
Your comment is entirely unhelpful. If you already deleted it good, if you didn’t, now is a good time to do so.
I get your commentary.
Bud, this is a cringe response.
You are the person I am criticizing, someone who thinks the way you do is already not someone open to "help." If you want, I can post it three more times and see if that does it for you.
What the fuck are you talking about?
Nothing a bunch of privileged liberals would give a shit about
"Wow now you want to help but I still think you're a shit pile because you didn't do the thing I did with my superior morals when I thought it was apporpriate"
Yeah great way to encourage change you want you fucking dung beetle. Shut up.
There is no group more outraged by high moral standards than privileged liberals who want the bare minimum praised; like you'd change anyway, lol.
Well at least you admit you're insufferable and dying alone.
They changed it around the world to Golf of America, a bunch of people complained and guess what Google changed it everywhere other than the US.
Mhm, soooo, you kept using it after?
I saw a post on Lemmy about it and I broke to go there and make a complaint, I do not use google maps.
Right, and why don't you use it?
Umm… look at the group we are talking in, Google is the big evil.
It's so funny how you guys keep thinking it's some special knowledge just because you care now.
Yup, what makes it evil? Exactly? Where did you start caring?
One is closer to us.
"Only when it effects me." Yes, that is what I am pointing out.
Strange comments, there was a huge backlash on media when it happened maybe just not on US-based and oligarchy-backed media outlet.
Also on the threadiverse on the news when it happened many people suggesting alternatives https://lemmy.ca/post/39089906
Mentions on this community unrelated to when it exactly happened (hey, do you need to wait for a reason to boycott them?)
https://lemmy.ca/post/41383994 https://lemmy.ca/post/41378825
Many people started joining communities promoting deGoogle campaigns
You are not "pointing out" a contradiction but trying to downplay the encouragement of others promoting alternatives, its good to share solidarity to when this sort of thing happens to and involving other countries too you are so right on that, but its not exactly what you are achieving with this type of comment
"You're being weird" is always a great way to self-report, you don't even realize what it shows about you. Also funny that this is upvoted when you're straight up fucking lying and its a click away to check.
Not the Canadian community (was including the .ca link purposefully misleading?), and yes, exactly, when you do see these people (a singular person who doesnt even mention it, but let's say that was a real example there anyway) do give a shit, it's only after it effected them, not out of solidarity with Mexico or whatever it is you think you're saying here (also, I can tell you don't even understand what I'm criticizing when one of these is just someone referring to some other reason).
Jfc you're all so self-satisfied. Did you think I wouldn't check? You people are going to keep pretending until it isn't fun anymore, I already see it.
“You’re being weird” is always a great way to self-report
I didnt say you are weird, i referred to your comments not personally to you, again now a pattern of trying to make things more than what it is
this is upvoted when you’re straight up fucking lying and its a click away to check
You misinterpreted and skipped through when I said "Also on the threadiverse" before first link then before the next two which was in this community I also was explicit saying "Mentions on this community"
Why are you trying to stir tension so much?
This is far from the first time we've had a call to boycott Google. This one just happens to be in a Canadian community because it's closer to us.
Strange, the community description says nothing about that, and I'm sure it's entirely irrelevant that Mexico is also, y'know, the only other North American ally the Canadian state has. Either way, yes, what I am criticizing is the way that Canadians have selectively challenged US imperialism only now after they're effected in the slightest way; many of which on this site specifically then proceeded to claim ownership over anti-imperialism as though they genuinely think everyone was waiting for them to get here.
It's kind of revolting, honestly. A few of you have expressed that the problem you take with my comment is that it isn't "encouraging," and I think that just sums it up perfectly. People like this are only encouraged by praise and complacency, and god knows they aren't going to change their way of life for some greater good.
Everybody I knew cared when Trump changed the Gulf of Mexico in US documents. Believe me or not, but it's possible to care about both issues. Let's work together, we clearly want the same thing here.
It's in the instance description: "A Canadian-run community, geared towards Canadians, but all are welcome!"
It's hard to properly gauge the response online since social media is so personalised and everyone sees different things. So I don't know the scale of it, but I can assure you that at least in the communities I follow, there was a similar response to renaming the Gulf of Mexico, as well as many other things that Google has done that we don't like.
Lemmy.ca does, this community does not, but I figure you know that. You guys pretend to not know a lot of things.
Thing is, clearly many of you did not, and this community specifically serves as a great example of what I'm talking about. But I get it, this is the larp.
