Google removes cupcake calorie tracker on Maps amid pushback

Google terminated an iOS feature Oct. 16 that estimated the number of calories users would burn by walking — rather than driving — routes searched on Maps, TechCrunch reports.

The experimental iOS feature, which was meant to incentivize users to exercise, rolled out to some users earlier this month. Alongside the calorie counter, the feature also displayed how the calories burned from walking stacked up against the calories in a standard mini cupcake.

A Google Maps explainer noted, "the average person burns 90 calories by walking 1 mile. To help put that into perspective, we've estimated how many desserts your walk would burn. One mini cupcake is around 110 calories," according to TechCrunch.

However, some users expressed discomfort with the automatic feature. Some critics claimed the calorie estimates for the "average" user were too inaccurate to prove helpful, while others suggested the focus on calorie tracking could have a negative impact on those with eating disorders.

A Google spokesperson told TechCrunch the decision to pull the feature was "based on strong user feedback."

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