The Hivemapper Network is designed to protect people's privacy while collecting imagery to build and update a global map. Your personal information and location data are not the product being monetized. The Hivemapper Network is building a private mapping network that offers contributors anonymity.
What Is Collected?
The Hivemapper Dashcam is an open-source product that collects information in a privacy-centric manner. The primary pieces of data it collects includes:
Randomly Generated Usernames + Location Data + Imagery collected
Each Contributor’s username is randomly generated to ensure anonymity, and contributors’ location data and imagery collected is never publicly tied to a username or Hivemapper profile.
Privacy Blurring
Automatically blurs faces, license plates, cars, and bodies from the imagery on the edge - dashcam mapping device - prior to uploading imagery.
Edge Processing
The Hivemapper Dashcam automatically privacy blurs images and detects objects (e.g., speed limit signs) on the edge.
Privacy Zones
Personal and network level privacy zones where all data collection is automatically paused.
No Identifiable Info Collected from Contributors
We don’t collect information that we can use to identify contributors to the map, but could receive personal information either when you purchase a Hivemapper Dashcam (for sales purposes) or contact us (for customer support purposes).
No Personal Info Collected from Road Users (bystanders)
When contributors collect imagery, faces, license plates, cars, and bodies are automatically blurred on their Hivemapper Dashcams, to ensure the imagery we receive does not include personal information of road users (bystanders). Unblurred imagery is never shared with the Hivemapper App and Hivemapper has no access to unblurred imagery.
Transparency
In certain countries we require you to display a placard on your vehicle indicating that you are collecting for a map. See here for the countries and placards.
Open-Source Dashcam
People can inspect the code and see what data is being collected and how it’s being collected, see here.
To build and update a map for purposes of street-level navigation and exploring the world.
Who can access the collected data?
Customers who pay for access to the Map API, See here to learn about the data products we sell.
How long is the imagery kept?
One year from the point of collection, sometimes less.
Can I map anywhere?
You can map in any country, but all data collection from the Hivemapper Dashcam is automatically paused within privacy zones (e.g., military bases).
Does the Hivemapper Dashcam or App include third-party analytics?
The Hivemapper Dashcam and the Hivemapper App for iPhone and Android do not send behavioral data to third-parties.
Can the dashcam see my personal car garage?
By default, mapping is paused in the first 500 meters of every trip. You can adjust trip trimming to 1,000 meters. Additionally, contributors can set personal privacy zones around specific locations. When your dashcam is within a personal privacy zone, mapping is automatically paused.
Can people see where a specific contributor is collecting or what imagery they have collected?
No, each contributor’s username is randomly generated to ensure anonymity. No contributors’ location data or imagery collected is publicly tied to this username.
Is all imagery privacy blurred?
Yes, faces, license plates, cars, and bodies are automatically blurred on the contributor’s Hivemapper Dashcam. Un-blurred imagery is not shared with the Hivemapper App and Hivemapper has no access to unblurred imagery.
Request Takedown
Hivemapper can assist with further blurring or deleting of imagery an individual considers sensitive or their personal information (e.g. a face, body, vehicle, license plate or home). If you would like to request this, please complete this form or send us a message to [email protected].
Active Imagery Collection
As of Q2 2024, imagery is being actively collected at these locations. You can also view map coverage here.