Couple assaulted in 'Hell Run' recommended by Google Maps

A US couple sued Google after Google Maps directed them into a South Africa ‘Hell Run’ area where they were assaulted at gunpoint and robbed. Trying to navigate to Cape Town airport, LA-based Jason and Katharine Zoladz were direct ed by Google Maps into a notoriously dangerous area when they were attacked, assaulted and robbed by an armed gang at an intersection. According to the lawsuit (pdf), Jason Zoladz was left bleeding by the roadside having had his jaw smashed by a brick. He had surgery later that day. The couple claimed in the suit that Google knew the ‘extreme dangers’ of the route and that it was known locally for years as the site of ‘numerous’ violent attacks on tourists by armed criminals. They also argued that Google has a responsibility to protect its users, but failed to protect or warn them of the risks of the route. The incident persuaded Google to re-route trips to the airport away from dangerous areas. System 🤖 Google Maps 🔗 Operator: Jason Zoladz, Katharine Zoladz Developer: Alphabet/Google Country: South Africa Sector: Travel/hospitality Purpose: Direct drovers Technology: Machine learning Issue: Accuracy/reliability; Safety Legal, regulatory 👩🏼‍⚖️ Jason Zoladz; Katharine Zoladz v. Google LLC (pdf)

Date it happened

2023-10-01

Organisation involved

Jason Zoladz, Katharine Zoladz

Product, system or model

Google Maps

This is a record of what was reported, not a finding that anyone broke the law. If it names your organisation and you believe it is wrong, the corrections process is free and open to everyone.