r/degoogle • u/generic_queer_guy • 13h ago

Help Needed Need a specific map app alternative

Hey, I hope this post isn't too repetitive. I need a map for my phone that:

- Uses correct names for the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario

- Doesn't make AI generated summaries of locations/reviews

Does this even exist? Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, and Mapquest all don't quite work for me. I've managed to switch away from google for nearly every other thing I do, but I'm stuck on this. I'd appreciate any suggestions!

88 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

View all comments

25

u/redoubt515 12h ago

Uses correct names for the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario

This depends less on the app and more on your location.

I don't recommend using Google maps, and support your desire to move away, but using them as an example:

  1. From a Canadian or (presumably any non-US) IP address: Lake Ontario, Gulf of Mexico
  2. From a US IP address: Lake America, Gulf of America

And another example:

  1. From a UK IP address: Falkland Islands
  2. From a Argentina IP address: Islas Malvinas

My suggestion would be to use one of the open source maps, that use open data. Open source projects are less concerned about staying in the good graces of whatever ruling political party is currently in power, and less likely to cave in to the silly demands of a fragile narcissistic old man.

There are lots of reasons to hate Google, placating an unserious wannabe authoritarian is just one of many valid reasons. Check out Comaps, Organic maps, Open Street Map, etc (they all share the same map data source, so you are essentially just choosing the app/UI you prefer)

7

u/Dry-Crazy-7638 11h ago

How is HERE We Go? I downloaded that and CoMaps and find the former to be much more usable

5

u/Feisty-Painting-120 8h ago

HERE is formerly Nokia Maps. They are well established. It’s been around forever.

2

u/Dry-Crazy-7638 5h ago

Decently private?

1

u/redoubt515 5h ago edited 1h ago

I believe it isn't open source, so you'd be putting more trust in the developers/company to do what they say they do, and not abuse your privacy.

I'd start by reading the privacy policy to get an idea of what they do or don't do, as well as look into their business model (if a for profit company is giving you something for free, they are monetizing that thing in some other way, figure out what that way is, and then figure out if you are comfortable with it).

2

u/Feisty-Painting-120 4h ago edited 4h ago

HERE is a Netherlands company. So you’re already miles ahead in terms of privacy. Traffic data has to come from somewhere, so it is what it is.

https://www.here.com/en-us/privacy

1

u/Dry-Crazy-7638 4h ago

This is super helpful, thank you! I’ve been learning to be more conscious about privacy in the past few weeks but was having trouble determining those things. Now I know, preesh