Using iOS Maps Might Put Your Life in Danger, Says Victoria Police

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 10 Dec 2012

After having to rescue several stranded motorists, police in Victoria, Australia, advised iPhone users to stop using iOS Maps. Using Apple’s faulty app may put your life in danger, the authorities warned.

Even though Apple’s goal is to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to its customers, the Cupertino-based company missed the mark with its Maps app on iOS 6. The user experience was so bad that Apple had to issue an official letter of apology in which it advised its customers to try alternatives, like Google Maps, MapQuest, or Waze.

According to Australian authorities, there’s one more important reason why you would want to use something other than iOS Maps – the fact that using Apple’s app may put your life in danger. Police in Victoria, after having to rescue several stranded motorists, issued a warning discouraging iPhone users from using Apple’s map app.

Because of the faulty app, several motorists ended up lost in the wilderness and were stranded for 24 hours without much needed food and water. Instead of taking them to their desired destination, iOS Maps lead 6 motorists to a national park instead. Instead of reaching the inland city of Mildura, these motorists veered some 43 miles off track and ended up in Murray Sunset National Park.

“Police are extremely concerned as there is no water supply within the Park and temperatures can reach as high as 46 degrees [Celsius], making this a potentially life threatening issue,” said the authorities in a statement. “Anyone travelling to Mildura or other locations within Victoria should rely on other forms of mapping until this matter is rectified.”

So unless you want to possibly end up stranded in a location with scorching temperatures and no water, you’d better use something other than the default map on your iOS 6-powered device.



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