YouTuber creates fake traffic jam on Google Maps using trolley of smartphones

asr335704

YouTuber Simon Weckert has revealed how he created a fake traffic jam on Google Maps, simply by wheeling a trolley of smartphones down an empty street in Berlin. It’s the go-to navigational app for many people around the world, but now one prankster has managed to fool Google Maps.



YouTuber Simon Weckert has revealed how he created a fake traffic jam on Google Maps, simply by wheeling a trolley of smartphones down an empty street in Berlin. In his video description, Mr Weckert explained: “99 smartphones are transported in a handcart to generate virtual traffic jam in Google Maps.”

Mr Weckert was able to exploit Google Maps' strategy of collecting data from lots of users to gauge how busy areas are. By activating Google Maps on 99 smartphones and carrying them down the street, Mr Weckert tricked Google Maps into thinking there were 99 different users stuck on the same road.

For more details, please read the article here: Source

darogaa

That gives a tool foranti-social elements for their nefarious activities. Hope Google takes immediate remedial action on this.

bookgod2017

Pretty ingenious !!

asr335704

I wonder sometimes how did he manage to get so many smartphones.

chanakyakripa

Technology can be used for good as well as nefarious purposes. It depends on the people using it. Though this was a harmless prank, this can be used for nefarious purposes too. Google map should look out immediately for remedial measures.

KH_Hirsch

And how would you prevent such an action in reality? He basically simulated a traffic jam with a bunch of mobile phones moving slowly through the road and logged into Google Map to broadcast this unpleasant traffic situation to others. For Google to understand that this was a prank they would need to identify the mobile ids and compare it with the ones which passed through the street minutes before. I wouldn't want a profile of my movements being created just for the purpose of traffic control or maybe others.

Btw. I believe that's what's happening when you're logged into Facebook or?