Google Facing Backlash For Controversial Calorie Counter On Maps App

Roughly a week ago, Google Maps began implementing a new and controversial calorie counter function on its app. The counter measured how many “mini-cupcakes” you could burn by walking the distance traveled on your routes. While some reportedly welcomed it as an incentive to exercise, others took offense to the new feature.

Google Maps now includes calorie estimates & I really don’t need this kind of judgment right now pic.twitter.com/f9y3fW71ld

— Catherine Bond (@DrKateBond) October 13, 2017

ty for shaming me for my mini cupcake consumption google maps!!!! pic.twitter.com/nYwNHMJFqa

— Khushb👻👻 Shah (@KhushAndOJ) October 16, 2017

Piss off @googlemaps, I don’t even eat cupcakes. Can’t believe you can’t turn this crap off! 😡 If I want calorie counting I’ll ask for it! https://t.co/DAApTmj7Pk

— Angie McKeoOOooOown (@AngieMcKeown) October 17, 2017

The controversial calorie counter app isn’t anything novel, since other apps have this feature built in already. What sets Google Maps’ implementation apart is how widespread and massive the reach of its app is, plus the fact that no instructions were provided as to how to disable for those who didn’t want to see it. Calorie counting can prove to be a source of anxiety for those who suffer from eating disorders. As such, the new feature could’ve proved troublesome to the 30 million people in the US alone that struggle with one.

Google has since told TechCrunch that they have decided to remove the feature. But still, it’s alarming to think that someone at Google thought this feature, with no ability to remove and the potential to mentally harm some, would be a great addition to Google’s lineup.