In order to appease angry residents and cut down on gridlock caused by tourists, navigational applications such as Google Maps won't give exact directions to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.
When it comes to popular attractions, residents and tourists often find themselves in an on-going battle over access.
Such is the case with the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, California. Residents have convinced online mapping services including Google Maps and Garmin to change the driving directions to the sign, sending visitors to viewing areas a distance away.
Before technology could navigate users to the destination, directions to the Hollywood sign were hard to figure out.
GPS changed all that, allowing users to get closer to the sign, while causing traffic issues within its neighborhood.
While erecting unwelcoming tourist signs in their neighborhood, some residents also turned to technology and have fought to have the sign show up incorrectly on digital maps.
When searching for the Hollywood Sign in navigational applications like Google or Apple Maps, the directions given are to Griffith Observatory or a shopping center, both located in a different area.
According to Alissa Walker of Gizmodo, "What's happening in Hollywood is a disturbing peek into the future of digital cartography. A few dozen homeowners in one of the city's wealthiest ZIP codes...have found a way to keep people out of their neighborhood by manipulating technology."
