Thoughts on “Goodchild – Citizens as sensors”

This article by Goodchild lays out the foundation of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) by explaining technological advances that helped it develop as well as how it is done.

The widespread availability of 5G cellular network in the upcoming years will drastically improve our ability as humans to act as sensors with our internet-connected devices given improved upload/download speeds as well as lower latency. These two factors will greatly help in the transfer of information, for example allowing for more frequent locational pings or allow more devices to be connected to the internet as 5G will allow more connections compared to 4G.

Although VGI provides the means to obtain information that might otherwise be impossible to gather, the reliability of the data can be questioned. An example could be with OpenStreetMap, where anyone is free to add, change, move or remove buildings, roads or features as they please. Although most data providers do so with good intentions, inaccuracies and errors can slip in, affecting the product. As other websites or mobile applications use data on OSM to provide their services, it becomes important for users and providers to have valid information. As pointed out in the article, the open-nature of VGI allows malevolent users to undermine others’ experience. An example of such an event would be with people recently taking advantage of the VGI nature of OSM to change the land coverage of certain areas in order to gain an advantage in the mobile application Pokemon GO.

Finally, there is also an issue with who owns the data. Is it the platform or the user that provided the data? Who would be responsible if an inaccurate data entry leads to an accident or a disaster? As with any other growing field closely linked to technological advancements, governments will need to further legislate on VGI in order to allow for an easier regulation.

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