5 ms·

Do you think Google should get government sign-off on every change to its routing algorithm?

HNisCIS 2mo ago
Medical/psychological experiments involving human subjects are mandated by federal law to run through a review board. Did that happen here? This isn't a medical experiment, but I don't think its nuts to feel like maybe there should have been some oversight.
- malkia 2mo ago
  Does this apply to Netflix, Amazon, Disneys, and many other streaming providers's "What to watch next? Recommended..." of sorts (or music/podcast streaming services)...
  - andsoitis 2mo ago
    Routing traffic affects not only the drivers using Google Maps, but also everyone around them IN REALTIME. Netflix personalized recommendations affect only the individual, not those around them who are not using Netflix.
    - malkia 2mo ago
      Oh yes, good point! Stand corrected!
- charcircuit 2mo ago
  This is only true for experiments funded by the government. In this case the experiment was funded solely by Google.
  - loeg 2mo ago
    IRB approval is required for human subject research funded by private parties, too; not just government. But only really in the medical field.
    - charcircuit 2mo ago
      >But only really in the medical field. Looking it up, the exception where it is required is specifically for clinical investigations regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
- kaonwarb 2mo ago
  I fear you may overestimate the median benefit of government oversight.
  - HNisCIS 2mo ago
    I fear you underestimate the malice of the average tech company
rendaw 2mo ago
You're acting in bad faith attaching "every change" to what the parent said. But this isn't that crazy? Most businesses require government approval for changes that have community effects... that's the entire point of government. Stuff like construction permits and regulation around structures, water usage, pollution, building architecture. Mining companies are required to assess environmental impacts. Companies making RF devices need to get confirmation on how the devices affect people and other devices. And that's not even considering market share/monopoly status, which also regularly invites more scrutiny.
- thereisnospork 2mo ago
  When the government proscribes discretionary permitting to those items you mentioned corruption and scarcity follow. It is exorbitantly expensive and difficult to build a house, a powerplant, or a mine in this country. For which we all currently pay for in cost of living.
- maxerickson 2mo ago
  Does the tempo matter? Like compare changing live routing to publishing a paper map showing alternate routes. In either case it seems to me that the vehicle operator should be most responsible for the impact of the route that they use.
bravoetch 2mo ago
That's not a bad idea, since we pay for the roads, not Google.

Medical/psychological experiments involving human subjects are mandated by federal law to run through a review board. Did that happen here? This isn't a medical experiment, but I don't think its nuts to feel like maybe there should have been some oversight.

malkia 2mo ago
Does this apply to Netflix, Amazon, Disneys, and many other streaming providers's "What to watch next? Recommended..." of sorts (or music/podcast streaming services)...
- andsoitis 2mo ago
  Routing traffic affects not only the drivers using Google Maps, but also everyone around them IN REALTIME. Netflix personalized recommendations affect only the individual, not those around them who are not using Netflix.
  - malkia 2mo ago
    Oh yes, good point! Stand corrected!
charcircuit 2mo ago
This is only true for experiments funded by the government. In this case the experiment was funded solely by Google.
- loeg 2mo ago
  IRB approval is required for human subject research funded by private parties, too; not just government. But only really in the medical field.
  - charcircuit 2mo ago
    >But only really in the medical field. Looking it up, the exception where it is required is specifically for clinical investigations regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
kaonwarb 2mo ago
I fear you may overestimate the median benefit of government oversight.
- HNisCIS 2mo ago
  I fear you underestimate the malice of the average tech company

rendaw 2mo ago

You're acting in bad faith attaching "every change" to what the parent said. But this isn't that crazy? Most businesses require government approval for changes that have community effects... that's the entire point of government. Stuff like construction permits and regulation around structures, water usage, pollution, building architecture. Mining companies are required to assess environmental impacts. Companies making RF devices need to get confirmation on how the devices affect people and other devices. And that's not even considering market share/monopoly status, which also regularly invites more scrutiny.

thereisnospork 2mo ago
When the government proscribes discretionary permitting to those items you mentioned corruption and scarcity follow. It is exorbitantly expensive and difficult to build a house, a powerplant, or a mine in this country. For which we all currently pay for in cost of living.
maxerickson 2mo ago
Does the tempo matter? Like compare changing live routing to publishing a paper map showing alternate routes. In either case it seems to me that the vehicle operator should be most responsible for the impact of the route that they use.

bravoetch 2mo ago

That's not a bad idea, since we pay for the roads, not Google.