Geolocation and Google's TOS
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Joseph Elfelt
Sep 9, 2012, 10:26:38 PM9/9/12
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Dear Google,
I would like to improve the geolocation feature in my app but I do not want to do so in a manner that violates your TOS. Certainly I do not want to get on your bad side nor do I wish to waste time writing code that I will have to delete. My questions are basic and will be of interest to a fair number of developers.
Since even the most simple geolocation feature can be employed by a user to navigate, the following portion of the TOS is particularly relevant:
10.2 Restrictions on the Types of Applications that You are Permitted to Build with the Maps API(s).
...
(c) No Navigation, Autonomous Vehicle Control, or Enterprise Applications. You must not use the Service or Content with any products, systems, or applications for or in connection with any of the following:
(i) real time navigation or route guidance, including but not limited to turn-by-turn route guidance that is synchronized to the position of a user's sensor-enabled device.
The geolocation feature presently in my app is basic. To try it, start the app http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php and then choose Menu ==> My location.
Many of the Gmap4 users are engaged in various forms of human powered recreation. However, nothing prevents someone from using Gmap4 on a mobile device in a car and deciding where to turn based on their current geolocation position and their destination.
#1. Does my app violate the TOS given that it can be used for navigation in this manner? My app is not providing any advice on where to turn or when.
#2. I would like to enhance this geolocation feature by automatically refreshing the user’s geolocation every X number of minutes. Is that OK?
#3. Also, I would like to add a feature that would let the user select a marker on the map as their destination and then each time the geolocation is performed the distance and bearing from the geolocation position to that destination would be displayed. Is that OK?
Thanks in advance for the courtesy of sharing the answer with the community.
I would like to improve the geolocation feature in my app but I do not want to do so in a manner that violates your TOS. Certainly I do not want to get on your bad side nor do I wish to waste time writing code that I will have to delete. My questions are basic and will be of interest to a fair number of developers.
Since even the most simple geolocation feature can be employed by a user to navigate, the following portion of the TOS is particularly relevant:
10.2 Restrictions on the Types of Applications that You are Permitted to Build with the Maps API(s).
...
(c) No Navigation, Autonomous Vehicle Control, or Enterprise Applications. You must not use the Service or Content with any products, systems, or applications for or in connection with any of the following:
(i) real time navigation or route guidance, including but not limited to turn-by-turn route guidance that is synchronized to the position of a user's sensor-enabled device.
The geolocation feature presently in my app is basic. To try it, start the app http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php and then choose Menu ==> My location.
Many of the Gmap4 users are engaged in various forms of human powered recreation. However, nothing prevents someone from using Gmap4 on a mobile device in a car and deciding where to turn based on their current geolocation position and their destination.
#1. Does my app violate the TOS given that it can be used for navigation in this manner? My app is not providing any advice on where to turn or when.
#2. I would like to enhance this geolocation feature by automatically refreshing the user’s geolocation every X number of minutes. Is that OK?
#3. Also, I would like to add a feature that would let the user select a marker on the map as their destination and then each time the geolocation is performed the distance and bearing from the geolocation position to that destination would be displayed. Is that OK?
Thanks in advance for the courtesy of sharing the answer with the community.
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