google maps: Google Maps users complain about random “Indian” accent, here’s what Google has to say – Times of India

If you are a Google Maps user and have experienced an unfamiliar voice being played at the time of navigation then you are not alone. Several users of Google Maps have pointed out on Twitter and Reddit that the app changes its navigation voice randomly in the middle of navigating.
Describing his voice, a Reddit user said that it “sounded like a deep man’s voice with a slight Indian accent,” while a Twitter user called it “an East Indian voice.”
The extent of this bug is not known at the moment, ie, whether it is affecting users globally or only in certain regions. Nevertheless, Google responded to these complaints and acknowledged the bug via its official Google Maps Twitter account.
“The team is working on a fix and it will be rolled out soon. Thank you for your patience,” said the company.

Google Maps recently made it mandatory for its users to agree to Google’s new crowdfunding feature in order to allow them to use its turn-by-turn navigation feature.
Google started showing a prompt that reads, “As you navigate, Google collects details, such as GPS location and the route you took. This data may be used to make information, including real-time traffic conditions and disruptions, visible to others and help them find the fastest route.”
This means when a user uses Google Maps’ turn-by-turn navigation, the app collects data to help reflect the world in real-time for everyone. The data which is used includes, GPS location, transportation mode, navigation details, such as the route you took, sensor data from your devices, such as the barometer.
If users don’t agree to crowdsource navigation data, then they won’t be getting turn-by-turn navigation, voice feedback. Instead, they will get step by step directions in a static form.