[dangerlibrary]

Wait, is that actually a criticism levelled against Waze? That can't possibly stick, right?

Almost everyone in the U.S. drives and everyone who drives hates getting traffic tickets. I thought allegations/criticisms like these only really worked when you could separate the users into some group identified as "other".

[howeyc]

Yes that is a real criticism against Waze. The thought is that the "show where the cops are" feature can be used by those who wish to assassinate cops (by finding them when they are alone I guess).

The obvious conclusion being that the feature must be removed (obvious to a certain Orange country sheriff at least). http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/01/28/382013185/off...

[nobleach]

There is a movement (it's currently trending on Facebook - so there are plenty articles to read there) that is trying to force Google to remove the offending data. The problem is, to anyone's knowledge, there hasn't been a single case of "officer assault" linked to Waze data.

It does sound silly, as cops are not hard to find. I seriously doubt a would be cop killer needs to consult an app when looking for a cop to kill.

[digler990]

> cops are not hard to find.

IIRC they even have a common phone number to summon them.

[simias]

That's not saying that "80% of Waze users are cop killers" though. Just that some people could use it to locate cops in order to attack them.

I don't know if that makes really sense but it's much less outrageous than what the OP implied.

[JelteF]

I think what the OP implied is that things will always be used by criminals for other purposes than intended.

[Alupis]

I think it's more likely to be used on the commonplace to avoid areas with police -- either for the traffic ticket dodger, or for mugger's, home invader's, etc...

[innguest]

> feature can be used by those who wish to assassinate cops

Are you trying to get a government job as propagandist and fear-monger?

[theorique]

No he's describing the reasons that the police spokesmen are presenting as to why Waze should remove the police observation data.

[mattparcher]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_POLICE_TRACKING_AP...

From the article: Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck complained in a letter to Google's chief executive on Dec. 30 that Waze could be "misused by those with criminal intent to endanger police officers and the community."

[msandford]

Perhaps then the police should stop tracking everyone's movements with Automated Number Plate Readers (ANPRs) because the second their huge database gets compromised it's going to be exceedingly easy for criminals to figure out when law abiding citizens are regularly not home (and not just during work hours!) so they can safely break into houses and rob them.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[Rafert]

It could be, according to some sheriffs: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_POLICE_TRACKING_AP...