Quick Hit:

A former Google Maps UX researcher has revealed the company's decision not to add a "scenic route" feature due to concerns over bias favoring high-income areas.

Key Details:

• Researcher's Revelation: Kasey Klimes, a former Senior UX Researcher at Google, explained that introducing "scenic" options in Google Maps could bias the app towards wealthier areas, potentially harming lower-income communities.
• Corporate Caution: Klimes deleted his X/Twitter thread discussing these insights and locked his account, leading to speculation about Google's involvement and concerns over the spread of sensitive information.
• Competitive Landscape: As Google hesitates on new features over DEI concerns, Apple advances its Maps app with hiking-focused enhancements, including downloadable trails and offline navigation for U.S. National Parks.

Diving Deeper:

Google Maps has steered clear of introducing a scenic route option, a decision underscored by revelations from a former employee, Kasey Klimes. According to Klimes, who shared his insights in a now-deleted X/Twitter thread, adding such a feature would necessitate a set of new variables that could skew route suggestions towards more affluent neighborhoods. This bias could divert traffic from economically struggling areas, potentially stripping them of much-needed economic activity and tax revenue.

The deletion of Klimes' thread and his subsequent withdrawal from public discourse have has been seen as Google's attempt to maintain secrecy or control over its product strategy, while others interpret it as an effort to avoid public scrutiny over its adherence to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) principles that may compromise product functionality.

While Google claims to prioritize algorithmic neutrality and social equity, this stance may have led to the omission of features that users find desirable. Meanwhile, competitors like Apple are capitalizing on this gap. With its latest updates, Apple Maps is enhancing features attractive to outdoor enthusiasts, directly catering to user interests with trail-friendly functionalities.