The question of whether navigation apps like Google Maps can be held accountable for accidents has come under scrutiny in India after a tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh. Three men lost their lives when their car veered off an unfinished bridge and fell onto a riverbed. Police believe that Google Maps directed the group onto the incomplete structure.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the northern state, where a part of the bridge had collapsed earlier this year due to floods. Locals were aware of the bridge’s condition and avoided it, but the men, who were from outside the area, were unaware. There were no barricades or signs to warn them of the danger.
Authorities have filed a police complaint naming four engineers from the state’s road department and an unnamed Google Maps official on charges of culpable homicide. Google has stated it is cooperating with the investigation.
The accident has highlighted India’s poor road infrastructure and sparked a debate over the accountability of navigation apps in such scenarios. While some blame Google Maps for providing inaccurate information, others argue that the lack of government action to cordon off the area is a larger failure.
Google Maps, which has approximately 60 million active users in India, plays a critical role in navigation for ride-sharing, e-commerce, and food delivery platforms. However, the app has faced criticism for providing incorrect directions in the past. Similar incidents have occurred, including a 2021 case where a man drove into a dam in Maharashtra and another in 2023 where two doctors drowned after their car followed directions into a river in Kerala.
Google Maps relies on GPS signals, satellite imagery, Google Street View, and government or user-submitted updates to reflect changes in road conditions. However, Ashish Nair, founder of mapping platform Potter Maps and a former Google Maps employee, explains that prioritizing updates from millions of daily complaints is a significant challenge.
Nair notes that users are advised to apply their own judgment while driving, as the app’s terms of service clearly state that the information provided might not match actual road conditions. He also highlights India’s lack of a robust system for reporting infrastructural changes compared to countries like Singapore, where updates are logged in real-time.
The legal community is divided on the issue. Advocate Saima Khan points out that under India’s Information Technology (IT) Act, platforms like Google Maps are classified as intermediaries, shielding them from liability. However, she adds that if evidence proves Google Maps failed to update its data despite receiving accurate, timely information, it could face negligence charges.
This tragic incident underscores the need for improved coordination between technology platforms and government authorities to ensure timely updates to navigation systems. It also calls for better road infrastructure and adequate signage to prevent such accidents. Until systemic changes are implemented, experts warn that similar issues will persist, leaving both users and platforms navigating murky legal and ethical terrain