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So Microsoft develops a new app for GPS that uses crime data to steer you away from high crime areas.
That's RACIST!
That's RACIST!
Microsoft just got a patent approved for a avoiding unsafe neighborhoods when navigating via GPS. According to Microsoft, the feature is specifically aimed at pedestrian travelers, and factors conditions such as weather, terrain, and "security information" (read: crime statistics).
In other words, this feature makes it possible to take a slightly longer route in order to avoid "economically challenged areas". This announcement has been getting a fair amount of attention, as some have interpreted this function as having racial undertones, and unfairly penalizes businesses in high crime areas, and panders to unfounded fears of certain neighborhoods.
What do you think? Good idea or a step backwards in equality? Let us know.
In other words, this feature makes it possible to take a slightly longer route in order to avoid "economically challenged areas". This announcement has been getting a fair amount of attention, as some have interpreted this function as having racial undertones, and unfairly penalizes businesses in high crime areas, and panders to unfounded fears of certain neighborhoods.
What do you think? Good idea or a step backwards in equality? Let us know.
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – An in-development Microsoft smart phone app designed to help drivers and pedestrians avoid unsafe neighborhoods is proving controversial among some minority rights groups that find the software potentially discriminatory.
The as-of-yet unnamed product is being referred to as the “Avoid The Ghetto” app by those who are concerned with where it will guide users.
“I’m going to be up in arms about it if it happens,” said Dallas NAACP President Juanita Wallace.
Wallace spent her afternoon at a rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and said she felt safe there, but fears the app may project otherwise.
“Can you imagine me not being able to go to MLK Blvd. because my GPS says that’s a dangerous crime area? I can’t even imagine that,” she said.
Microsoft says the app will use crime statistics to determine what parts of town are to be avoided. But it’s unclear where the data will come from and how it will be interpreted.
Microsoft has filed a patent for the app, but the actual product is unnamed and not available yet.
Opponents like Wallace fear it could hurt minority communities.
“It’s almost like gerrymandering,” she said. “It’s stereotyping for sure and without a doubt; I can’t emphasize enough, it’s discriminatory.”
Michael McNally, who was visiting Dallas Tuesday, said an app shouldn’t have enough power to label a community.
“It may have a high crime problem but have some great cultural, social things you can do there,” McNally said.
Dallas resident Chris Hurst said it sounds like a good safety tool.
“I’d be all for it because you can never be too safe,” he said.
Tommy Jones, who works downtown, said an app like Microsoft’s could hurt a city’s economy.
“From a business standpoint, it could be devastating,” he said. “Especially in the area of tourism.”
Economic development is a major initiative that Mayor Mike Rawlings is pushing in parts of the city that the app may suggest against visiting.
Wallace is concerned this type of technology would continue to perpetuate stereotypes in Dallas and beyond.
“What happens in North Dallas certainly ought to be no different than what happens in South Dallas, so we can’t keep on doing this,” she said. “This type of technology is certainly going to pronounce and heighten it to some degree.”
Microsoft declined to comment, issuing a statement that said the company “does not comment on filed or awarded patents.”
The as-of-yet unnamed product is being referred to as the “Avoid The Ghetto” app by those who are concerned with where it will guide users.
“I’m going to be up in arms about it if it happens,” said Dallas NAACP President Juanita Wallace.
Wallace spent her afternoon at a rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and said she felt safe there, but fears the app may project otherwise.
“Can you imagine me not being able to go to MLK Blvd. because my GPS says that’s a dangerous crime area? I can’t even imagine that,” she said.
Microsoft says the app will use crime statistics to determine what parts of town are to be avoided. But it’s unclear where the data will come from and how it will be interpreted.
Microsoft has filed a patent for the app, but the actual product is unnamed and not available yet.
Opponents like Wallace fear it could hurt minority communities.
“It’s almost like gerrymandering,” she said. “It’s stereotyping for sure and without a doubt; I can’t emphasize enough, it’s discriminatory.”
Michael McNally, who was visiting Dallas Tuesday, said an app shouldn’t have enough power to label a community.
“It may have a high crime problem but have some great cultural, social things you can do there,” McNally said.
Dallas resident Chris Hurst said it sounds like a good safety tool.
“I’d be all for it because you can never be too safe,” he said.
Tommy Jones, who works downtown, said an app like Microsoft’s could hurt a city’s economy.
“From a business standpoint, it could be devastating,” he said. “Especially in the area of tourism.”
Economic development is a major initiative that Mayor Mike Rawlings is pushing in parts of the city that the app may suggest against visiting.
Wallace is concerned this type of technology would continue to perpetuate stereotypes in Dallas and beyond.
“What happens in North Dallas certainly ought to be no different than what happens in South Dallas, so we can’t keep on doing this,” she said. “This type of technology is certainly going to pronounce and heighten it to some degree.”
Microsoft declined to comment, issuing a statement that said the company “does not comment on filed or awarded patents.”
'Avoid Ghetto' app: Racist or resourceful?
Wednesday - 1/18/2012, 4:47am ET
Thomas Warren, wtop.com
WASHINGTON - Microsoft faces accusations of potential racism related to its patent for a new pedestrian-friendly map application.
The GPS system being developed by the software giant has no name, but it's been nicknamed the "Avoid Ghetto" app by some because of how it calculates a specified route. The system accounts for crime statistics and demographic information when telling pedestrians where to go.
Microsoft does not say how crime statistics will be gathered, but some people believe the app directs a slight at poor neighborhoods.
Claudio Cabrera at TheRoot.com writes that the app is "absolutely ludicrous" and says Microsoft should be ashamed.
Sarah E. Chinn, author of "Technology and the Logic of American Racism," tells AOL Autos the app is "pretty appalling."
"Of course, an application like this defines crime pretty narrowly, since all crimes happen in all kinds of neighborhoods," Chinn says. "I can't imagine that there aren't perpetrators of domestic violence, petty and insignificant drug possession, fraud, theft, and rape in every area."
In its patent submission, Microsoft says pedestrians can face more potential harm when traveling than a driver protected by a car.
"It can be more dangerous for a pedestrian to enter an unsafe neighborhood then [sic] a person in a vehicle since a pedestrian is more exposed and it is more difficult for her to leave an unsafe neighborhood quickly," the submission says.
The company says app users will get a route taking those factors into account.
The system is built to compile various criteria -- which along with crime statistics, can include user history and weather information -- and present routes based on rankings. The route options then appear on a user's smartphone.
The user will have options to filter search results based on certain preferences, such as "keeping a user safe." There's also an option for a blind user to have search results read aloud or printed in Braille.
The application is five years in the making. Developers say it will work on Windows 7 smartphones.
Follow Thomas and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
Wednesday - 1/18/2012, 4:47am ET
Thomas Warren, wtop.com
WASHINGTON - Microsoft faces accusations of potential racism related to its patent for a new pedestrian-friendly map application.
The GPS system being developed by the software giant has no name, but it's been nicknamed the "Avoid Ghetto" app by some because of how it calculates a specified route. The system accounts for crime statistics and demographic information when telling pedestrians where to go.
Microsoft does not say how crime statistics will be gathered, but some people believe the app directs a slight at poor neighborhoods.
Claudio Cabrera at TheRoot.com writes that the app is "absolutely ludicrous" and says Microsoft should be ashamed.
Sarah E. Chinn, author of "Technology and the Logic of American Racism," tells AOL Autos the app is "pretty appalling."
"Of course, an application like this defines crime pretty narrowly, since all crimes happen in all kinds of neighborhoods," Chinn says. "I can't imagine that there aren't perpetrators of domestic violence, petty and insignificant drug possession, fraud, theft, and rape in every area."
In its patent submission, Microsoft says pedestrians can face more potential harm when traveling than a driver protected by a car.
"It can be more dangerous for a pedestrian to enter an unsafe neighborhood then [sic] a person in a vehicle since a pedestrian is more exposed and it is more difficult for her to leave an unsafe neighborhood quickly," the submission says.
The company says app users will get a route taking those factors into account.
The system is built to compile various criteria -- which along with crime statistics, can include user history and weather information -- and present routes based on rankings. The route options then appear on a user's smartphone.
The user will have options to filter search results based on certain preferences, such as "keeping a user safe." There's also an option for a blind user to have search results read aloud or printed in Braille.
The application is five years in the making. Developers say it will work on Windows 7 smartphones.
Follow Thomas and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
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