Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
Google is ending a service that saw it share Android data with wireless carriers globally to help them better understand the network coverage they provided, the company has confirmed. Reuters reports that the Mobile Network Insights service, which Google launched in 2017 but which has gone largely unnoticed until now, was meant to help carriers plan or upgrade their wireless networks by showing them signal strengths and connection speeds in their coverage areas. However, the company has now decided to end the free service offering, reportedly due to fears that it could attract the scrutiny of users and regulators.
It’s notable that Google has taken the decision to shut down the service, rather than risk it causing the company a scandal….