Google Maps Expresses Frustration over Inaccurate Road Blockages
On the long weekend of Ascension Day, many travelers encountered a inconvenience while utilizing Google Maps for navigation. The routes displayed on the widely-used service indicated numerous closures across Germany, even though the roads were fully operational. These false indications were particularly prevalent in major cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, and Frankfurt am Main.
Authorities in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Mainz, and North Rhine-Westphalia could not confirm these closures, further fueling confusion among users. Some areas of the Netherlands and Belgium also experienced the same issue. After several hours, these erroneous indications were corrected.
The origin of this issue remains unclear. According to a representative from Google, the company is currently investigating the incident internally and does not comment on individual cases. Google Maps' data is compiled from various sources, including external providers, public transportation authorities, and user inputs. Despite this array of sources, they usually contribute to a robust and updated map database.
This incident is reminiscent of another problem at the start of the month, where supposedly closed highway tunnels in Thuringia were shown as such on Google Maps. Only after authorities lodged complaints were these tunnels shown as open again. Previously, the police in Thuringia had taken to social media to clear up the misinformation regarding traffic, stating that highway tunnels in Thuringia were open.
Although many chose to travel during the extended holiday weekend, the congestion this year was expected to be significantly less than the previous Ascension Day in 2024, according to the ADAC. With schools closed in numerous northern and eastern federal states on May 30, families were likely setting off on short vacations.
Sources: ntv.de, ses/dpa
[1] "Google Maps showed false road closures across Germany and some parts of Belgium and the Netherlands on Ascension Day 2025 due to a serious software bug in the navigation service." [2] "These false indications caused nearly the entire road network in Germany to appear closed, with maps filled with red stop signs, especially around major urban centers like Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin." [3] "Drivers relying on Google Maps were misled into thinking roads were closed and sought alternate routes, which led to severe traffic congestion and chaos on smaller roads and detours." [4] "Meanwhile, traffic on the supposedly closed motorways was actually flowing normally, as confirmed by users of alternative navigation apps such as Apple Maps and Waze, and by radio traffic reports." [5] "The cause of the glitch remains unclear. Google stated that its maps data is updated through multiple sources, including external providers, public transport authorities, and user input." [6] "After the erroneous closure reports were flagged by users, Google began rechecking and removing the false data." [7] "A spokesperson emphasized that these combined data sources typically provide a robust and accurate map database, and the company is investigating the incident." [8] "In summary, the false road closures were caused by a Google Maps software error that incorrectly flagged major roads as closed, which created significant traffic disruption during a busy holiday period in Germany and surrounding countries."
- "Given the recent incident where major roads were incorrectly flagged as closed on Google Maps, the Commission has also been consulted on the following issues: the reliability of technology-based services and the importance of ensuring accurate data in navigation applications."
- "It is crucial for the Commission to address concerns and implement regulations, especially when it comes to technology-related matters such as the functionality of gadgets like smartphones and their navigation apps, to prevent similar cases of misinformation leading to chaos in the future."
