TomTom takes aim at OpenStreetMap
Date: Tuesday, May 29 @ 21:19:47 UTC
Topic:


pocketgpsworld.com
It would appear that TomTom are more than a little troubled by the growing success of OpenStreetMap, the open source community mapping project.

TomTom have posted an article on their website pointing out the drawbacks of open source maps. The article makes some bold claims about their accuracy and the problems of relying on community reports.

Now I'm sure many of you will think this a little cheeky of TomTom. Those of you who have experienced the length of time it can take for them to update their maps may not think they have too much to boast about. And MapShare is after all, little more than a community powered reporting tool.

TomTom don't mention OpenStreetMap directly, but they do refer to a 'leading provider' who experienced over 100,000 individual cases where data was changed either accidentally or maliciously. This can only be a reference to OpenStreetMap and whilst the true number is disputed by them, the actual damage was minimal and spotted quickly.

One OpenStreetMap support has blogged about TomToms claims with each of their points answered here.

OpenStreetMap data does have errors and omissions, but then so does TomTom. It's in the nature of OpenStreetMap that any issues they experience are discussed and made public whereas TomTom keep their mapping troubles very much in-house.

Perhaps this is a case of 'people who live in glass houses should not throw stones?'.

Source: TomTom

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