Social Media Backlash Leads To Google Removing The Calorie Counter From Google Maps

Google is one of the biggest names when it comes to the world of internet technology. Over the years, Google has been recognized as a globally trusted brand and they care a lot about the goodwill that they have gained. The company wants to be perceived as a progressive and liberal brand and is very careful about not offending any section of the society. This is why Google had to pull down the planned Calorie Counter feature off Google Maps before it could see the light of the day.

Image: Taylor Lorenz

In today’s day and age brands, especially as big as Google, need to take every step carefully as it is unpredictable which section of the society might take offence. Here’s what happened:

Google was working on introducing a new feature – a calorie counter of Google Maps, which was being tested by a few users. However, before the public release for this new feature could come out, screenshots surfaced on Twitter which showed Google Maps showing average number of calories burnt if one would walk to their destination.

However, the outrage on social media began when it was found out that there was no way one could turn this feature off. What made the situation worse was that if you’d tap on the calories, you’d be shown the calories burnt in equivalence to cupcakes consumed. These cupcakes were pink in color which led to Twitter users complaining that this calorie counter feature has been ‘aimed at women’.

Google, however, took very seriously to all these complains over social media and has immediately decided to drop the plan. The company confirmed to tech news website Engadget that they would no longer be continuing work on this calorie counter feature in Google Maps. People also complained that this would shame and trigger people with eating disorders.

Source: Engadget