this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2025
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For those, who don't know: There is an app called StreetComplete.

StreetComplete is a mobile app that enhances OpenStreetMap (OSM) by allowing users to contribute to mapping efforts in their local areas. It gamifies the process of collecting and verifying geographic data through simple tasks.

Such simple tasks in StreetComplete could be providing information regarding:

  1. Classifying streets (one-way or not)?

  2. Is an object (e.g. a bench or a trash bin) still there, or was it removed by the city/state?

  3. When does shop XY open and close?

  4. Who is allowed to use the parking lot?

  5. Does a bus station have lights?

  6. Can people with disabilities use the crosswalk?

  7. Is a way for bicycles?

It's getting warmer outside. Why not going out and playing it bit? It might feel a little bit like Pokemon GO (but compared to it, your location data won't be sold to Saudi Arabia).

If you usually don't go outside often or walk around outside often, maybe this could be a motivation/reason...

Official website of StreetComplete with download links: https://streetcomplete.app/

FAQ: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/StreetComplete/FAQ

StreetComplete feature image


If you have already use/played it, what's your rank?

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[–] pr06lefs@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 day ago (3 children)

F-Droid says this has "anti-features":

  • This app promotes or depends entirely on a non-free network service
    • Tethered to commercial Jawg.io for map tiles
    • FOSS OpenStreetMap.org and Westnordost.de to get quests, upload data, etc.

What is that about and is it ok? Would my collected data be going to a non-free enterprise? How exactly is the data used, does it go back to openstreetmaps?

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The only really non-free thing is Jawg.io, which does not take your data and only renders OSM's map data into maps. The westnordost.de (developer's website) photo service is open source at https://github.com/streetcomplete/sc-photo-service and the only other thing westnordost.de is used for is an email server to receive bug reports and (as mentioned in the app's "privacy" page) is checking against https://www.westnordost.de/streetcomplete/banned_versions.txt, which is technically non-free I guess? but that's just a list of versions.

[–] jherazob@beehaw.org 1 points 6 hours ago

Wouldn't it be a good idea to eventually find a FOSS/open replacement for the Jawg thing?

[–] lemmydividebyzero@reddthat.com 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

WestNordOst seems to be the user name of the main developer.

How exactly is the data used, does it go back to openstreetmaps?

I can give you one example. If you go to a bench and answer the question "Is it still there" with "yes", the bench object tracked by OpenStreetMaps will get a tag that is similar to "last-checked-for-existance: 03/16/2025". If you answer "no", it might get removed from the OSM database. So, yes, it results in changes in the OpenStreetMap database.

Tethered to commercial Jawg.io for map tiles

Not sure, what that means, sorry.


I have also linked the FAQ (which are by the way hosted by OpenStreetMap) ->https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/StreetComplete/FAQ#How_does_the_app_handle_uploads?

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Your changes get uploaded to openstreetmap.

[–] jagged_circle 2 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Why does it say "non-free" then?

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

TL:DR: Jawg.io to render the map. Takes no information from you.

[–] pr06lefs@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

Its gonna know what tiles you're downloading and thereby your approximate location.

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org 1 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

That's just slightly more precise than IP geolocation. As long as you use a cellphone with internet, your "approximate" location is out there somewhere unless you use Tor or something.

[–] pr06lefs@lemmy.ml 1 points 7 minutes ago

Out there somewhere, but not at jawg.io unless you're using Street Complete. I mean I've heard worse and its probably no big deal, but best to be transparent about it so users can make an informed decision.

Contrast with OSMAND, where I downloaded my entire state and I can use the app without internet access at all.

[–] jagged_circle 1 points 30 minutes ago

Lol no. My IP geolocation is only 20% of the time the same continent as me. People use tools to protect that