Waze – Did it Steal Data from a Rival Traffic App? – Neurogadget.com

How did PhantomAlert discover the theft?

PhantomAlert claims that it became aware of the data theft after realizing that Waze displayed its proprietary information. The traffic app maker claimed that Waze used information for which they never obtained authorization or consent. PhantomAlert goes ahead to say that Waze not only copied it’s database, but also went a step further and incorporated the same on its platform. PhantomAlert made these claims through its lawyers when filing the lawsuit against Waze.

via Waze – Did it Steal Data from a Rival Traffic App? – Neurogadget.com.

Waze’s RideWith carpooling app (Israel)

RideWith uses technology developed by Waze, an Israeli start-up bought by Google in 2013 for about $1bn.

Its navigation system, which uses data from users’ smartphones to give live traffic information, learns the routes drivers most frequently take to work and matches them up with people wanting to travel in the same direction.

It is aimed at people who work for the same company and live reasonably close to each other.

An estimated 200,000 people participate in carpooling in Israel already.

via Google revs up carpooling with Waze app in Israel trial | Technology | The Guardian.

Thus Waze knows exactly where we live and work, as well as our preferred routes for getting between the two. Moreover, they know precisely the time that we leave these locations, even if we have not activated the app on our devices.

It is clear to see how Google is tip toeing around now, so as not to broadcast a clear and present threat to the local cabbies, and avoid confrontations with regulators who in turn could cause a legal fuss for their users. Google is calling this a “ride sharing service”, saying that it is a “green and social way to get to work”. They have even gone so far as to euphamize the payment system, saying that users are “pitching in”, just like people have done for years with a few bucks for gas when their friend gives them a ride.

via Waze’s ride sharing service launches in Israel.