A Nigerian lawyer, Justice Segun Ojienoh, has petitioned the Google Group over the police location feature on its Google Maps, alleging it could be divulging sensitive security information and demanding the removal of the feature from the application.
He claimed the feature portends a security threat not only to his life but also to other Nigerians and the nation.
Ojienoh’s letter dated September 8, 2025, was addressed to the chief executive officers of Alphabet Incorporated, Google Global Services Nigeria Ltd, and Google LLC.
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It was titled ‘Immediate and Urgent Demand to Remove Police Location Feature for Google Maps – A Direct Threat to My Security, National Security and Public Safety in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.
Among other security agencies, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Nigeria Police Force were put in copy in the letter.
According to Ojienoh, who practises with Eko Solicitors and Advocates law firm, on August 15, 2025, while going to Dangote Group head office at Ikoyi, Lagos State, to carry out some clients’ instructions, he was alarmed by a security prompt from the app.
“I used your online application, Google Maps, for the purpose of metering my movement. It catered to my needs adequately up to when I got to Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria, at about 07:55 hrs and while 2.7 km from my destination.
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“I became particularly alarmed and sour when it informed me as follows: Police nearby, 10 reports. 9 mins ago from Google Maps drivers,” he said.
He noted the app presented him with the option of voting on whether the police were still present by suggesting that he click the button “Not there” or “Still there”.
He also had a similar experience on August 31, while heading to Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, on the same road at about 15:55 hours and while 4.3 km close to his destination.
“I was alarmed when they divulged to me as follows: Police ahead, 4 reports. 2 mins ago from Google Maps drivers.
“It also presented me with the option of voting on whether the police were still present by suggesting that I click either of the buttons: “Not there” or “Still there.”
Ojienoh said the encounters were not the first or second time he had experienced the situation.
“I initially dismissed the earlier occasions as bugs rather than seeing them as deeply entrenched features. My above encounters now prove beyond all doubt that it is indeed systematic.
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The letter further read, “I know the above information is not available to me only; you made it available to all and sundry – including the enemies of the Nigerian State, in every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
“Nigeria is direly a security tinderbox with a horde of enemies, both within and outside, who cannot wait to take advantage (or are already indeed taking advantage of) this unsolicited sensitive security information provided to them.
“I do not want to use this letter to give a potential laundry list of the gazillion security threats that this unsolicited information of yours may portend – I will leave that for your security eggheads.”
According to Ojienoh, the Google Maps divulging sensitive information about police location is not acceptable to him, even as he expects that the officials of the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser would have, at the least, spotted it and nipped it in the bud, but it appears they have other fish to fry.
He pointed out that Google has a global responsibility to ensure that its products do not inadvertently contribute to insecurity or endanger human lives.
He noted that in the context of Nigeria’s current struggles, the continued display of law enforcement location is a direct contradiction of this responsibility.
“It actively facilitates criminal activity and makes our communities less safe. That is why I am taking this issue up with you.
“Kindly remove the feature and communicate to me within 14 days of your receipt of this letter that you have done the same.
“So long as security is concerned, 14 days is an alarmingly lengthy period within which I have to wait, but wait I will to hear back from your bureaucracy. At the expiration of the period quoted above, I will approach our national courts to seek their opinion on whether it is right for you to divulge this sensitive information to all and sundry in the way and manner you presently do,” Ojienoh added.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
