this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2024
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Couple suing Google Maps after it sent them to a notorious crime hotspot where they were brutally attacked and robbed at gunpoint::A Los Angeles couple filed a lawsuit against Google Maps for allegedly navigating them to a notorious South African crime neighborhood where tourists are left 'injured, maimed or dead.'

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[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (6 children)

The New Eisleben Road was known as a “prime site” for the assaults because its highly congested roads would make it difficult for victims to escape, and “the gangs knew that Google Maps sent unsuspecting tourists driving rental cars” along it, the lawsuit alleged, according to Mercury News.

It's high crime because google sends tourists there...

If it sent them somewhere else, that would be the high crime area.

[–] bhmnscmm@lemmy.world 28 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

It's a high crime neighborhood because criminals live there. Or more precisely, because it's a poor, gang infested neighborhood.

What you've said makes no sense. There are high crime neighborhoods like this all over the country independently of what Google maps does. There are also neighborhoods full of tourists that aren't high crime areas.

Particular conditions, in this particular neighborhood, lead to these particular crimes occurring.

[–] agent_flounder@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

I wonder if we will hear the outcome of the lawsuit or if it will just get settled out of court.

“the gangs knew that Google Maps sent unsuspecting tourists driving rental cars” along it, the lawsuit alleged, according to Mercury News.

...

The company finally agreed to stop Google Maps from directing people through the area albeit three weeks after the attack, which prompted the couple to seek unspecificed damages.

On the one hand yes there are high crime areas and this is one.

On the other hand, it is possible that Google routed them stupidly.

On the other hand people shouldn't be traveling without learning a bit about the local threats and how to stay safe.

But crime is ultimately the responsibility of governments and they also have some responsibility to tourists.

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