Los Angeles, California – A lawsuit has been filed by a high-powered Los Angeles couple against Google Maps, alleging that the navigation app directed them to a dangerous neighborhood in South Africa where they were brutally attacked at gunpoint, resulting in the husband’s broken jaw.
Jason and Katharine Zoladz reportedly used the app to navigate from their Airbnb to Cape Town’s airport in October. Their intended destination was a wildlife preserve in the Kalahari Desert, according to the lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
The couple claims that Google Maps routed them into the Nyanga neighborhood, known for “numerous” violent attacks on tourists by armed bandits, despite warnings to the tech giant from US and local officials about the danger of the area. The lawsuit alleges that the neighborhood was a “prime site” for attacks because the gangs knew tourists traveling in rental cars were being directed there.
As the Zoladzes’ vehicle stopped at a red light, they were surrounded by armed assailants. Jason Zoladz’s lower jaw was broken in several places when a paving brick was thrown through the window, rendering him unconscious. The attackers then fired gunshots, stole their belongings, and fled the scene.
Katherine Zoladz was left emotionally scarred by the incident. Jason underwent three hours of reconstructive surgery and now has four metal plates in his jaw, as well as continued pain and numbness. The couple is seeking unspecified damages as a result of the traumatic experience.
The lawsuit claims that the dangerous route was still being directed by Google Maps three weeks after the attack, despite assurances from the company to discontinue sending people through the area. A Google spokesperson has stated that the company takes driver safety seriously and is reviewing the lawsuit.
The seriousness of the incident is further underscored by the fact that other Americans had been attacked along the same route, and both United States and South African officials had been in discussions with Google Maps regarding the issue, according to the lawsuit.
The Zoladzes’ experience highlights the potential risks involved in relying on mapping apps in unfamiliar or dangerous areas, and raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies to ensure the safety of their users.