MapQuest’s New Surveillance Tracking Feature Is Great, But The App Keeps Crashing

MapQuest has made a surprising return to the public eye by introducing a brand-new Surveillance layer for directions in the latest version of its Android and iOS apps. The feature lets users view automated license plate readers and surveillance cameras on both Default and Satellite views, with animated eye icons showing the directionality of the cameras via red cones. Tapping an individual camera provides more information, though the layer does not specify whether the equipment belongs to Flock, Axon, or another provider. The app does not require a login, and users can even choose from 8-bit avatars like a unicorn or a ghost to represent themselves on the map. Despite the intriguing privacy-focused appeal and no-login setup, the app suffers from major reliability issues. During testing on the Android version in both a car and on a motorcycle, the navigation directed the user to a car dealership instead of a grocery store, and the app ultimately proved completely unreliable before cutting out entirely.