I would say that it’s not hard to replace. I mean, all you need is an app that regularly dumps GPS data and a list of signal strengths from radios that broadcast unique IDs to start building out a database.
What’s hard is doing one that is as complete and accurate as Google’s, because Google is hoovering up data from most cell phones about the location of a lot of devices.
You are glossing over a lot of infrastructure and development, when boiled down to the basics you are right.
So it is basically a question of getting enough users to have that app installed. Which is not impossible given that we do have initiatives like OpenStreetMap.
That would be fairly easy to accomplish by asking volunteers to carry a mapping app on their phones. There are already apps that do this but for private use only (map wifi and cells on your route to use for location later).
If they open the database and donate it to the public it will be picked up and it will survive. If they have to keep it offline as part of the litigation then it’s a bummer.
I’ve been using the Mozilla Location Service for many years now with UnifiedNLP on Android to avoid using Google. This is sad to hear. UnifiedNLP can also use Apple Location Services but that one is not as privacy-friendly as MLS and only has WiFi data.
I would say that it’s not hard to replace. I mean, all you need is an app that regularly dumps GPS data and a list of signal strengths from radios that broadcast unique IDs to start building out a database.
What’s hard is doing one that is as complete and accurate as Google’s, because Google is hoovering up data from most cell phones about the location of a lot of devices.
You are glossing over a lot of infrastructure and development, when boiled down to the basics you are right. So it is basically a question of getting enough users to have that app installed. Which is not impossible given that we do have initiatives like OpenStreetMap.
That would be fairly easy to accomplish by asking volunteers to carry a mapping app on their phones. There are already apps that do this but for private use only (map wifi and cells on your route to use for location later).
If they open the database and donate it to the public it will be picked up and it will survive. If they have to keep it offline as part of the litigation then it’s a bummer.
I’ve been using the Mozilla Location Service for many years now with UnifiedNLP on Android to avoid using Google. This is sad to hear. UnifiedNLP can also use Apple Location Services but that one is not as privacy-friendly as MLS and only has WiFi data.