[genericone]

Who's to say that opening up the data will save more lives than Google continuing on their current course?

If google opens the data (that I would argue is still incomplete), and irresponsible actors are given a means (via incomplete LIDAR maps, algorithms, etc) to mislead people already screaming TAKE MY MONEY, that would likely lead to a TERRIBLE image for self-driving cars if and when those race-to-the-bottom companies cause injuries and deaths.

I could foresee that those irresponsible actors could then scapegoat Google's data as the source of issues, whether or not that is true.

BUT I suppose injuries, deaths, and ensuing lawsuits are what prompts stricter licensing and oversight committees. I believe however that strict enforcement of self-driving cars will be an eventuality, no homebrew kits I'm afraid.