Last year, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands were shaken by a large-scale outage in Google Maps, just as millions of people were travelling for the Ascension Day holiday. The popular navigation app incorrectly indicated that large sections of the German motorway network were closed. This led to widespread confusion, major traffic jams on alternative routes, and a flood of calls to police and traffic control services.
This incident highlights a crucial lesson: even the most advanced digital tools—such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and the Google Maps Platform—are not infallible. Always continue to rely on your common sense.
Digital tools: powerful, but not perfect
The roads surrounding major cities such as Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin turned into a red sea of “road closed” notifications on digital maps. For many drivers who blindly trusted Google Maps, it appeared that traffic across Germany had come to a complete standstill.
Only those who switched to alternative navigation apps such as Apple Maps or Waze, or who consulted traffic updates on the radio, discovered the true situation: traffic was largely flowing without disruption.
This situation demonstrates that, despite vast amounts of data and sophisticated algorithms, digital maps and AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini remain vulnerable to errors. A Google spokesperson confirmed that the information is derived from a combination of external providers, public sources, and—crucially—the input of individual users. This means that both technical failures and even malicious pranksters can influence the data.
The indispensable role of human intuition and critical thinking
Social media quickly filled with frustration and speculation. From jokes about an “acne outbreak” on the motorways to theories involving terrorist incidents or cyberattacks, imagination ran wild. In moments like these, it is essential to fall back on common sense. Ask yourself: does it make sense that all motorways would suddenly be closed? Are you receiving the same information from other sources?
The disruption on the German motorways, which particularly affected North Rhine–Westphalia and the Ruhr region, serves as a powerful reminder. Whether you are on holiday or simply on the road, navigation apps and other digital assistants are excellent tools. They can help you find your way, filter information, and work more efficiently. However, they are no substitute for critical thinking and the ability to assess a situation independently.
The lesson for the future: be smart—use your judgement
Google stated that it is investigating the cause of the outage internally. Fortunately, the issues were resolved after several hours. Nevertheless, this incident underscores the importance of consulting multiple information sources when planning travel. Above all, trust your own observations and reasoning.
In a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence and digital technology, common sense remains our most reliable guide. It helps us navigate unexpected situations, recognise misinformation, and make well-considered decisions. Use technology wisely—but never allow it to take control over your own judgement.
