Google just had to remove its new calorie-centric Maps featureFollowing tons of backlash, Google was forced to remove a new feature for Maps that showed the amount of calories a person could burn by walking to their destination instead of driving.
Recently, Google rolled out a new test feature to a small number of users that showed them the amount of calories that they could burn by walking their chosen route instead of driving or taking public transit. In an attempt to make the caloric amounts more tangible, the feature also translated them into — get this — mini cupcakes.
Photo: Katie Notopoulos, Buzzfeed
It seems the company's intentions were pure in that it wanted to playfully encourage a bit of physical activity. However, it's clear that Google didn't take users that may struggle with disordered eating into account. Many individuals took to Twitter to voice their concerns, saying that the new feature made them feel shamed and judged for eating and could be an extremely harmful trigger for those battling eating disorders. The...
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Google just had to remove its new calorie-centric Maps feature
