Apples much-maligned iOS Maps app is taking another hit, as officials in Victoria, Australia are pointing in its direction for causing what they say are dangerous inaccuracies in a brushfire information app, as problems with the mapping service make it difficult to determine exactly where fires are when alarms are received.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Country Fire Authority in Victoria is blaming Apple’s mapping data for errors in its own FireReady bushfire information app. Officials say that they were forced to rely on Apple Maps for FireReady, which is available on the iPhone and the iPad.
“Users report that towns are located on their maps at the centre of the district rather than on the actual township itself,” said one CFA spokesperson. Another official added that CFA has already received numerous complaints regarding errors in the FireReady app.
“This makes it very difficult to quickly determine the location of fires once alarm calls are being received,” the spokesman said. “This creates potentially dangerous situations and delays to activate phone trees if required.”
CFA says attempts to contact Apple have been responded to with suggestions to report any inaccuracies through a function found in the Maps app. CFA has urged citizens not to rely solely on one source for their emergency information, and have also directed them to its website, which uses Google Maps.
The Maps app has been an issue for Apple ever since it’s debut with the release of iOS 6. Its occasionally incomplete and inaccurate information has caused Australian officials to advise against its use in the past.
