Google Maps now relies on dash cam footage for improvements

Google relies on a lot of data to maintain services like Google Maps. They also have their own cars that they drive around to collect data. But now it seems that Google is relying on an additional source for Google Maps – your car’s dash cam footage.

According to a report from Android Police, they have spotted a new Google Help Center page that reveals that the company now pulls data from dash cam footage in order to improve Google Maps.

Now before you get in an uproar, note that for now, this practice seems to be only taking place in the UK. Google is working with two partners – Geopost Vision and Nextbase. The footage pulled is also from users who have opted in. This means that Google and their partners aren’t secretly harvesting your dash cam footage without your knowledge or consent.

Google seems to be very keen about the privacy implications. As such, footage is only requested from areas where updates are needed. Also, the footage is deleted once the data has been collected. It’s an interesting tactic, especially considering how many Google Maps users are out there and how dash cams are seeing a rise in popularity.

It is unclear if Google has plans to expand this methodology to other regions. We’ll have to wait and see.