MapmyIndia CEO, Rohan Verma has ‘warned’ users about the recently launched Ola Maps, the mapping service from ride-hailing giant Ola. Verma dismissed Ola Maps as a “gimmick” and cautioned consumers to be wary of what he termed “fly-by-night” products in the mapping industry.
“People are complaining left, right and centre, about their (Ola) updated cab app, their updated electric vehicle app, that their maps are pathetic and causing users problems,” said Verma.
In a recent interview with PTI, Verma questioned Ola’s assertion that the map was provided by Geospoc Pvt Ltd, a startup subsequently acquired by ANI Technologies (Ola’s parent company). He argued that building a digital navigational map for a vast country like India needs substantial investment and expertise.
Verma’s comments come in response to Ola’s announcement of its mapping service, which the company claims will offer superior navigation and location-based services. However, the MapmyIndia chief expressed skepticism about Ola’s ability to deliver on these promises, given the specialised nature of the mapping industry.
“It takes decades to build maps,” Verma asserted, highlighting the challenges faced by newcomers in the field. The MapmyIndia CEO also raised concerns about data privacy and security, suggesting that users should be cautious about sharing their location data with multiple apps.
“It is known that building maps is a serious business. It requires long investment of time, capital and expertise. World over, despite many trying, you have very few players globally who sustained or succeeded. It is just not possible that someone can just come up and say suddenly that I have created maps without the right track record and bona fides, let alone somebody that has been actively using map data and APIs and SDKs of some other company for multiple years,” Verma told PTI.
The MapmyIndia chief’s comments come after the company sent a legal notice to Ola on July 23 for alleged breach of a licensing agreement. The notice accused Ola Electric of violating terms and conditions related to the use of MapmyIndia’s APIs and SDKs for navigation.
“Ola strongly refutes the baseless and motivated statements made by MapmyIndia. They are a clear indication of the company’s desperate attempts to stay relevant by maligning its competitors. Ola has responded to MapmyIndia’s legal notice and now the responsibility rests with them to prove their case. Ola stands by the integrity of its business and will take all steps needed to protect its interests,” Ola spokersperson told PTI.
With agency inputs
“People are complaining left, right and centre, about their (Ola) updated cab app, their updated electric vehicle app, that their maps are pathetic and causing users problems,” said Verma.
In a recent interview with PTI, Verma questioned Ola’s assertion that the map was provided by Geospoc Pvt Ltd, a startup subsequently acquired by ANI Technologies (Ola’s parent company). He argued that building a digital navigational map for a vast country like India needs substantial investment and expertise.
Verma’s comments come in response to Ola’s announcement of its mapping service, which the company claims will offer superior navigation and location-based services. However, the MapmyIndia chief expressed skepticism about Ola’s ability to deliver on these promises, given the specialised nature of the mapping industry.
“It takes decades to build maps,” Verma asserted, highlighting the challenges faced by newcomers in the field. The MapmyIndia CEO also raised concerns about data privacy and security, suggesting that users should be cautious about sharing their location data with multiple apps.
“It is known that building maps is a serious business. It requires long investment of time, capital and expertise. World over, despite many trying, you have very few players globally who sustained or succeeded. It is just not possible that someone can just come up and say suddenly that I have created maps without the right track record and bona fides, let alone somebody that has been actively using map data and APIs and SDKs of some other company for multiple years,” Verma told PTI.
The MapmyIndia chief’s comments come after the company sent a legal notice to Ola on July 23 for alleged breach of a licensing agreement. The notice accused Ola Electric of violating terms and conditions related to the use of MapmyIndia’s APIs and SDKs for navigation.
“Ola strongly refutes the baseless and motivated statements made by MapmyIndia. They are a clear indication of the company’s desperate attempts to stay relevant by maligning its competitors. Ola has responded to MapmyIndia’s legal notice and now the responsibility rests with them to prove their case. Ola stands by the integrity of its business and will take all steps needed to protect its interests,” Ola spokersperson told PTI.
With agency inputs
