Google to Change Rio Map After Slum Complaints

Posted on Apr 26, 2011

Flickr / Robert Blackie

Google has agreed to modify the labeling of its Rio de Janeiro map after city officials and residents complained that it gave a skewed perception of the city’s social geography by making shantytowns too prominent.

Tens of thousands of Brazilians make their homes in the slums of Rio, the country’s second-largest city.  —ARK

BBC:

Google has agreed to amend its map of Rio de Janeiro, after city officials said it gave too much prominence to favelas, Brazilian media report.

Favelas, sprawling shanty towns which are home to tens of thousands of people, are a defining feature of Rio.

But the Globo newspaper said their labelling on the map and the absence of wealthier districts and tourist sites gave a bad impression of the city.

Google told Globo it would change the way the information was displayed.

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