Google removes Maps feature showing calories and mini-cupcakes after huge online backlash
Google is constantly testing new features for its Maps app, from the estimated elevation for cyclists to video footage of the searched location.
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But this time, a feature for directions that shows you how many calories you'd burn when in walking mode caused quite a backlash online.
With the test update, which also showed you how many mini cupcakes (!) you'd burn if you walked instead of drove, Google probably wanted to motivate people to stop being lazy bastards to be more healthy. It got the opposite reaction.
While other navigation apps like Citymapper, which is incredibly popular in the UK, already have a calorie-counting feature, the pink-coloured mini cupcakes really upset people online who saw it as perpetrating fat-shaming culture, particularly of women:
Why does Google Maps suddenly show me calories burned for walking routes (with a picture of a fucking cupcake) and how do I turn it OFF
— Anne Richard (@anneoclock) October 14, 2017
ty for shaming me for my mini cupcake consumption google maps!!!! pic.twitter.com/nYwNHMJFqa
— Khushb👻👻 Shah (@KhushAndOJ) October 16, 2017
Lol every woman I know has been sexually assaulted and google maps is telling me how many calories I'll burn on my walk to work
— Dana Cass (@DanaCass) October 17, 2017
Google maps is telling me that an hours walk is only 220 calories and now I want to set things on fire.
— Freya (@speelingmstake) October 17, 2017
Did anyone notice at google maps tells you how many calories you'll burn on a walk, and what kind of indulgence it's worth???? pic.twitter.com/S7aEIbY3KU
— Anar Parikh (@anarparikh) October 14, 2017
Apparently @googlemaps now tells you how many calories you'll burn on your route. How about let's not. @NEDAstaff pic.twitter.com/Xsgiry6Y5o
— Grace Dobush (@GraceDobushToGo) October 16, 2017
Idk whose idea it was to add to google maps walking routes both the estimated calories burned and an equivalent food, but they can GTFO 😡🙄
— Deirdre (@deirdresaurus) October 13, 2017
In addition, it turned out it wasn't possible to switch the feature off, as The Hill's Taylor Lorenz noted:
Do they realize how extremely triggering something like this is for ppl who have had eating disorders? Not to mention just generally shamey
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) October 17, 2017
I truly can’t wrap my head around how thoughtless and reckless this is as an automatic feature!! Especially with no intuitive way to opt out
— Anne Richard (@anneoclock) October 14, 2017
And people rightly pointed to the fact that it's very triggering for people with eating disorders:
In all seriousness, this is super dangerous, especially for people overcoming eating disorders. Food and calories do not belong here.
— Spoopy gal 👩🏼💻 (@TopHat8855) October 14, 2017
Google Maps confirmed to Mashable it removed the experiment, which was for iPhone users only, based on strong user feedback.
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