After feminists complained that the app was “shaming” women for their weight, Google has removed a beta Maps feature that allowed users to see how many calories -- symbolized by mini-cupcakes -- they could burn by choosing to walk instead of drive.
According to the BBC, Google removed the experimental calorie counter feature after receiving complaints.
I guess Google maps now automatically shows you how many calories you'd burn if you walk somewhere instead of driving pic.twitter.com/eixqCh00rn
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) October 17, 2017
Oh my god and if you click walking directions it auto tells you how much food you'd burn off what the fuck pic.twitter.com/B5djax2Li4
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) October 17, 2017
Do they realize how extremely triggering something like this is for ppl who have had eating disorders? Not to mention just generally shamey
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) October 17, 2017
ty for shaming me for my mini cupcake consumption google maps!!!! pic.twitter.com/nYwNHMJFqa
— Khushb👻👻 Shah (@KhushAndOJ) October 16, 2017
Mashable claims Google has removed the feature, which was temporarily available for iPhone users.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than one in three Americans were considered overweight in 2013-2014. BuzzFeed claims, however, claims the feature "could be very a negative (or even triggering) experience for people who have an eating disorder."
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