Three people died in an accident in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh after their car fell from an incomplete bridge. They claimed that they follow Google Maps directions. After anger due to an obsessed accident, India did not file a lawsuit against some government officials, but was also named a Google Maps official. Here we will discuss more about the accident and whether Google Maps can be really responsible for the loss of tragic souls.
For the context, Amit Kumar, Fifik Kumar and Ajit Kumar were leading to a family wedding in Davzang. After GPS, they took an incomplete bridge and the car landed in the Ramganga River. It is worth noting that the bridge was used until last year, but was washed in rain. However, no signs of indication of the damage have not been installed and the road was not closed for use.
According to what was reported, the three were driving quickly and they were not able to stop the car on time, as the car drowned in the river. Heavy fog did not help matters because it just reduced the vision. The effect was so severe that the three died immediately at the same time while the car suffered from severe damage.
Commenting on the incident, a Google spokesman said, “Our deepest sympathy for families. We are working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the case.”
This is far from the first time
Certainly, this is not the first accident of its kind when following the Google maps that turned out to be fatal. Only last year, two doctors in the Indian state of Kerala sank to death after their car fell in the Periar River after they were claimed that they had been misled by Google Maps.
One of the survivors in this deadly accident Then he said“Yes, we used the GPS (GPS). However, because I was not driving the car, I couldn’t confirm whether the technical defect was for the application or a human error.” Although it was not clear whether they were approved to the river by navigation or lost their way, the state police warned people not to use Google Maps during the seasonal wind season.
In 2021, another driver died in the Indian state of Maharashtra after driving his car to a dam, allegedly following directives on Google Maps to reach a mountain peak.
By the way, Google is facing a lawsuit in the United States from the family of a man from North Carolina, Philip Paxon, who claims that its maps led him to get out of a bridge, which led to his unfortunate death.
“We have discovered that Google Maps have appointed drivers like Mr. Paxon on this collapsed road for years, although complaints from the public are calling for Google to fix its map and directions to distinguish the road as closed,” Paxon Robert Zimmerman’s family lawyer said.
Blindly trusting Google Maps can take your life
Maruti Wagonr fell from a broken bridge and lost 3 people their lives. This bridge was washed away during the 2022 floods and remained as it is since. Who should be responsible? Government maps or Google? pic.twitter.com/vqmsbniwse
– Motorocane (Motorocane) November 25, 2024
Could Google be responsible for the wrong information about the maps?
India has submitted a criminal case against a regional director of Google and some employees of the State Department of Public Works (PWD) under departments related to “killing killing does not reach killing.”
However, legal experts believe that the lawsuit against the company may stick. Legal expert ADV (DR) Brashant Mali argued over LinkedIn The “Google Maps” explicitly dissipates the responsibility of inaccuracy or unexpected risks. He adds, “The courts may support the evacuation of responsibility like a law binding, which limits responsibility for third -party procedures or road maintenance.”
According to Mali, “Being a mediator, Google Maps can argue that it collects data available to the public and does not control road conditions in actual time.”
Sunil JoseThe founder and lawyer of Suns Legal Exhival sees similar opinions, and said: “Google maps are basically a transportation assistant, and not a final evidence. They explicitly mention that they are not responsible for errors in the methods presented.
Google Map users may not be technically under Indian laws
Jose adds that it will be difficult to prove that anyone who uses maps is a “consumer” in a strict sense under the 2019 consumer protection law. Free services (which will include Google Maps) are not covered under the law.
However, it is still that Google can still bear a responsibility under the country’s IT law for 2020, which “requires entities to implement reasonable practices for data security and accuracy.” According to Jose, “If it could be proven that Google Maps were neglected to maintain accurate data or safety, although the technological ability to do so, it may be responsible.”
In its report, Indian media outlet ABP He said, “Section 43a in the country, the entities require the implementation of reasonable practices for data security and accuracy. If it turns out that Google Maps have violated this duty, they may face legal challenges.”
Is it possible to trust Google’s maps?
While GPS applications can be rescue and help in moving when visiting unfamiliar places, they are far from perfection. Many people have complained of Google Maps that offer wrong trends and application has a system of reporting their errors.
There were also counterparts from the fraudsters who edited the details of the legitimate business lists on Google Maps for fraud. In general, it will be safe to say that although navigation applications are very useful, their blind follow -up can have unintended consequences.
