Google Now Scans Screenshots to Identify Geographic Locations

With the introduction of a new feature within Google Maps that is already getting mixed reviews from users, this update is already making headlines around the world. Currently available on iPhones, this update allows users to scan screenshots and photographs to identify and suggest places in real time. 

However, even though the technology has the potential to make life easier, such as helping users remember places they have visited or discovering new destinations, it raises valid privacy concerns as well. Even though it is a feature powered by artificial intelligence, there is not much clarity about its exact mechanism. However, it is known that the system analyses the content of images, which is a process involving the transmission of user data across multiple servers, including personal photos. 

Currently, the feature is exclusive to iOS devices, with Android support coming shortly afterwards — an interesting delaybecauset Android is Google’s native operating system.
In fact, iPhone users have already been able to test it out by uploading older images to Google Maps and comparing them with locations that they know. 

As the update gains traction, it is likely to generate a lot of discussion regarding its usefulness and ethical implications. It has been reported that Google Maps has launched a new feature to streamline the user experience by making it easier for us

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