Custom Online Map Error
I’ve been a Locus Map user for eight years, and this is my first time reporting an issue.
A week ago, I traveled to China and frequently used Locus Map to check my location and record my tracks during the trip. Although Google Maps is inaccessible in China, I managed to resolve this issue using a VPN.
However, I found that both Google Maps and Bing Maps had errors in China, with roads and satellite imagery not aligning correctly. I tried searching for the cause online but couldn’t find a clear answer. I did notice that other users had reported this issue before me.
I’m not sure why this error still hasn't been fixed.
This was a short trip, and I didn't get to visit many places. I plan to return to China again soon and hope the map errors will be resolved by then.
Hi,
we're sorry for the inconvenience but the issue will not be solved for a few reasons.
- Chinese law forbids Google or Bing maps and their unauthorized use results in the map offset depicted on your screenshots
- the map offset can be solved by tweaking the app with a certain parameter changing the coordinate system - this tweak is also considered illegal in China.
- using Google and Bing maps in Locus Map is illegal (according to Google and Bing terms) because Locus Map is not built upon the services' mandatory APIs
regards
Michal, Locus team
Hi,
we're sorry for the inconvenience but the issue will not be solved for a few reasons.
- Chinese law forbids Google or Bing maps and their unauthorized use results in the map offset depicted on your screenshots
- the map offset can be solved by tweaking the app with a certain parameter changing the coordinate system - this tweak is also considered illegal in China.
- using Google and Bing maps in Locus Map is illegal (according to Google and Bing terms) because Locus Map is not built upon the services' mandatory APIs
regards
Michal, Locus team
Michal Stupka
Your response is really lacking. As far as I know, Google doesn't comply with Chinese internet regulations and is therefore banned, while Bing can still be used normally in China.
Also, regarding your explanation (- using Google and Bing maps in Locus Map is illegal (according to Google and Bing terms) because Locus Map is not built upon the services' mandatory APIs), if it's supposedly banned, then why can Locus Map still use it?
http://ecn.t{s}.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/h{c}.jpeg?g=604&mkt=en-us&n=z
https://mt{s}.google.com/vt/lyrs=y&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}
What you're saying is contradictory. How can such an excellent app like Locus Map have someone like you, who speaks so incoherently and contradicts themselves, explaining things?
Michal Stupka
Your response is really lacking. As far as I know, Google doesn't comply with Chinese internet regulations and is therefore banned, while Bing can still be used normally in China.
Also, regarding your explanation (- using Google and Bing maps in Locus Map is illegal (according to Google and Bing terms) because Locus Map is not built upon the services' mandatory APIs), if it's supposedly banned, then why can Locus Map still use it?
http://ecn.t{s}.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/h{c}.jpeg?g=604&mkt=en-us&n=z
https://mt{s}.google.com/vt/lyrs=y&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}
What you're saying is contradictory. How can such an excellent app like Locus Map have someone like you, who speaks so incoherently and contradicts themselves, explaining things?
@ wuah105
see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restrictions_on_geographic_data_in_China
It sounds like this is chinese law and locus team are trying not to break the law....
im in the UK and i dont use google maps or bing, i use OS and OSM and mroe likely locus maps...
is there not an authorised chinese mapping service that works with locus?
Also your words against Michal seems strange as all he is doing is follwing US and Chinese laws.....
@ wuah105
see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restrictions_on_geographic_data_in_China
It sounds like this is chinese law and locus team are trying not to break the law....
im in the UK and i dont use google maps or bing, i use OS and OSM and mroe likely locus maps...
is there not an authorised chinese mapping service that works with locus?
Also your words against Michal seems strange as all he is doing is follwing US and Chinese laws.....
I'm glad everyone is discussing this matter.
The reason I’m interested in this issue and posted a response is that I’m from China. I’ve raised a similar issue before, and I also noticed that other users had brought up the same issue before me, but it still hasn't been resolved.
The information you referenced from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restrictions_on_geographic_data_in_China" pertains to requirements for map development companies, such as Microsoft Maps and Google Maps. It is not directed at applications like Locus Map, because Locus Map doesn’t create maps, it only uses them, which is different. For example, "- using Google and Bing maps in Locus Map is illegal (according to Google and Bing terms)" — if that’s the case, why can Locus Map users still use custom online maps like "http://ecn.t{s}.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/h{c}.jpeg?g=604&mkt=en-us&n=z" and "https://mt{s}.google.com/vt/lyrs=y&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}"? Does this violate the law?
I’ve been using Locus Map for over three years now. Several domestic Chinese outdoor mapping apps can correct the alignment issues between satellite and road maps. The same goes for foreign apps like ORUXMAPS and Alpine Quest, which can also correct satellite and road map alignment. Does that mean they are all violating the law? And even if ORUXMAPS and Alpine Quest are illegal, they aren’t based in China. So why haven’t the local Chinese outdoor maps been subjected to legal action?
As an early user of domestic outdoor maps who eventually switched to Locus Map, I use lomap for mountain climbing or off-road driving, and I use Hybrid maps when visiting unfamiliar towns to easily find nearby restaurants, accommodations, convenience stores, and parking areas. For me, Locus Map is not just for outdoor use.
I'm glad everyone is discussing this matter.
The reason I’m interested in this issue and posted a response is that I’m from China. I’ve raised a similar issue before, and I also noticed that other users had brought up the same issue before me, but it still hasn't been resolved.
The information you referenced from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restrictions_on_geographic_data_in_China" pertains to requirements for map development companies, such as Microsoft Maps and Google Maps. It is not directed at applications like Locus Map, because Locus Map doesn’t create maps, it only uses them, which is different. For example, "- using Google and Bing maps in Locus Map is illegal (according to Google and Bing terms)" — if that’s the case, why can Locus Map users still use custom online maps like "http://ecn.t{s}.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/h{c}.jpeg?g=604&mkt=en-us&n=z" and "https://mt{s}.google.com/vt/lyrs=y&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}"? Does this violate the law?
I’ve been using Locus Map for over three years now. Several domestic Chinese outdoor mapping apps can correct the alignment issues between satellite and road maps. The same goes for foreign apps like ORUXMAPS and Alpine Quest, which can also correct satellite and road map alignment. Does that mean they are all violating the law? And even if ORUXMAPS and Alpine Quest are illegal, they aren’t based in China. So why haven’t the local Chinese outdoor maps been subjected to legal action?
As an early user of domestic outdoor maps who eventually switched to Locus Map, I use lomap for mountain climbing or off-road driving, and I use Hybrid maps when visiting unfamiliar towns to easily find nearby restaurants, accommodations, convenience stores, and parking areas. For me, Locus Map is not just for outdoor use.
So its not a bug in locus, but youre requesting a feature
As in a feature to correct for the discrepancy between rendered maps by google and bing with actual coordinates caused by unauthosed use in china......
How do other maps, like https://vector.city/coinloads/asia-china/ render....
If it was me I would find a map source that does render correctly, different map sources is one of locus strengths.
So its not a bug in locus, but youre requesting a feature
As in a feature to correct for the discrepancy between rendered maps by google and bing with actual coordinates caused by unauthosed use in china......
How do other maps, like https://vector.city/coinloads/asia-china/ render....
If it was me I would find a map source that does render correctly, different map sources is one of locus strengths.
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