TomTom Sells Traffic Data To Police, Gets In Trouble

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Dutch GPS manufacturer TomTom is in a bit of trouble after it’s come out that they sold traffic data they collected from their GPS units to police, so the police could set up speed trap cameras. Considering the fact that people generally seem to hate speeding tickets, and that our attention to location privacy is ramped up because of the iPhone’s tracking scandal, this really could end up poorly for TomTom.

Dutch news outlet AD reported that TomTom has been selling traffic data to the Netherlands Police Agency, and, as mentioned, the police were using it to determine where traffic cameras and speed traps should be established. TomTom users have to opt into sharing their data with the company, who says they use the traffic data to help customers with “Live” devices get around traffic.

TomTom says that they routinely share information with local governments, in order to help them understand traffic congestion, and where to build new roads, etc. But, they admitted in a press statement that they are aware that local police also purchased the data with the intention of placing speed traps. In the release, TomTom promises:

We are aware a lot of our customers do not like the idea and we will look at if we should allow this type of usage.

They go on to note that they believe this practice helps create a better, safer driving experience for everybody:

We are working with road authorities around the world to use anonymous traffic information to help make roads flow more efficiently and safer.

TomTom was clear to point out in their statements that the location data was anonymous, so the police purchased data telling them where people were speeding, but not who was speeding. The public reaction to TomTom doing this, from what I can tell, is mostly negative. Everybody hates speeding tickets, and agrees that speed limits are too low. TomTom is on the wrong side of this argument.

Admit it, will you buy a TomTom device after knowing that they sell traffic data to police? Scroll down to the comments section and tell us about it.