Data Working Group 2017 Q1 Case Report
Background
The Data Working Group (DWG) filed 201 cases for the time period from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2017.
Some inquiries were handled quickly without any official action on the Data Working Group’s part–usually
due to the inquiry not falling under the purview of the Data Working Group.
Generally, when a complaint is brought to the DWG, the complainant is asked to first open dialogue withthe user in question. This is accomplished through the channels of changeset discussions, forum and mailinglist posts, or private messages as a last resort. DWG members may also choose to become directly involvedin this communication immediately; otherwise, they will wait for a response from the user. Changeset
discussions are viewable by everyone and are preferred as other OSM users can also provide input and sothat the communication trail can be established.
If a user is unresponsive after a period of time but continues to edit the map, they will often be given a
0 hour block. This block requires them to log into the OSM website and read the block message set by aDWG member. In some cases, a user performing large-scale edits or using incompatible data sources may
be blocked immediately to provide a pause for analysis and limit the amount of data added to the database.
Data that are found to be in conflict with the OSM license or community standards of practice may
be reverted either by a DWG member or by a member of the community if requested. Data may also
be redacted completely from the database, especially for egregious copyright violations. Occasionally theDWG receives requests or complaints from the general public through the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
compliance email address; correctly mapped data is usually not modified, but small changes in classifications
or representation may be made by DWG members.
In every case, the DWG gives mappers the benefit of the doubt and that they are acting with goodintentions. Complaints may indeed be ruled as unfounded or incorrect if the alleged is correctly mapping.
Perhaps the features added are very new, and a user surveyed that data but did not indicate this in theirchangeset. Alternatively, the user may be adding survey data from a holiday a few weeks prior that was
greatly removed from their home. In these instances, tickets are closed out and no further action is taken.

1Case list

2

Created2017/01/01
2017/01/02
2017/01/02
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/04
2017/01/05
2017/01/08
2017/01/09
2017/01/09
2017/01/09
2017/01/09
2017/01/09
2017/01/11
2017/01/12
2017/01/12
2017/01/13
2017/01/13
2017/01/13

Typeuser conflict and non-responsiveness
undiscussed or other problematic importundiscussed or other problematic importimport from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
undiscussed or other problematic importspam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
import from potentially incompatible source
user conflict and non-responsiveness
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible sourceRegion
EuropeUSAUSAWorldwide
EuropeAfrica
CanadaEurope
Ghana
AfricaUkraineEuropeWorldwide
North AmericaEurope
AfricaEuropeEurope
Worldwide
EuropeEuropeEurope
USA
USA
Germany
GlobalHong Kong
BrasilWest Africa
EuropeVenezuela
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Sri Lanka
EuropeCanadaAction
advice given
block issued, changeset commented, reverted
block issued, reverted
community contacted
revertedin progresschangeset commented, no action needed
revertedchangeset commented
revertedrevertedrevertedno action needed
no action needed
revertedno action needed
revertedrevertedrevertedreverted
advice given
revertedin progresschangeset commented
block issued
block issued, changeset commented
block issued
changeset commented, reverted
block issued, changeset commented, reverted
revertedchangeset commented, community contacted
block issued, revertedchangeset commented
block issued, changeset commented, reverted
revertedchangeset commented

3Created2017/01/13
2017/01/14
2017/01/14
2017/01/14
2017/01/14
2017/01/14
2017/01/14
2017/01/15
2017/01/15
2017/01/15
2017/01/16
2017/01/17
2017/01/18
2017/01/18
2017/01/18
2017/01/19
2017/01/19
2017/01/19
2017/01/20
2017/01/22
2017/01/22
2017/01/25
2017/01/25
2017/01/25
2017/01/25
2017/01/25
2017/01/25
2017/01/26
2017/01/26
2017/01/26
2017/01/27
2017/01/27
2017/01/28
2017/01/28
2017/01/28
2017/01/28
2017/01/28
2017/01/28

Type
import from potentially incompatible source
spam or poor mapping
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
user conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
import from potentially incompatible source
spam or poor mapping
request for technical help e.g. revert
general request for informationinternational dispute
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
spam or poor mapping
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
import from potentially incompatible source
general request for informationinternational dispute
user conflict and non-responsiveness
request for technical help e.g. revert
request for technical help e.g. revert
request for technical help e.g. revert
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsiveness
request for technical help e.g. revert
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
request for technical help e.g. revert
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping

RegionEuropeIraq
Portugal
PolandGermany
China
UK
RussiaPolandGlobalGlobalGlobalKosovoEuropeNorth America
Asia
Global
Asia
North America
North America
Worldwide
East China Sea
SwedenRussiaRussiaUkraineAsia
RussiaAfricaNorth America
USAUSAEurope
AustralasiaEurasia
Germany
CanadaNorth America

Actionreverted
block issued, changeset commented, revertedchangeset commentedchangeset commented, revertedchangeset commented
no action neededchangeset commented
block issued
changeset commented, reverted
no action needed
no action needed
advice givenchangeset commented
revertedno action needed
reverted
block issued, changeset commented
revertedrevertedreverted
advice given
community contacted
block issued
revertedno action needed
reverted
block issued, reverted
advice given
advice given
revertedchangeset commented, reverted
block issued, reverted
advice given
advice givenno action neededblock issued
block issued
advice given

4Created2017/01/28
2017/01/28
2017/01/28
2017/01/29
2017/01/29
2017/01/29
2017/01/29
2017/01/29
2017/01/29
2017/01/29
2017/01/30
2017/01/31
2017/02/01
2017/02/01
2017/02/01
2017/02/02
2017/02/02
2017/02/03
2017/02/04
2017/02/05
2017/02/06
2017/02/06
2017/02/07
2017/02/07
2017/02/08
2017/02/08
2017/02/08
2017/02/09
2017/02/10
2017/02/11
2017/02/11
2017/02/11
2017/02/11
2017/02/12
2017/02/12
2017/02/13
2017/02/13
2017/02/14

Type
spam or poor mapping
general request for informationundiscussed mechanical edit
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
import from potentially incompatible source
user conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
undiscussed mechanical edit
request to remove personal data
user conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsiveness
undiscussed mechanical edit
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
international dispute
user conflict and non-responsiveness
undiscussed mechanical edit
API misuseuser conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessinternational dispute
user conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessRegionEuropeEurope
Germany
USAUSA
USA
USA
Romania
Germany
Asia
Slovenia
Australasia
USA
Germany
USAWorldwide
Germany
Australia
GermanySouth America
USAMadagascar
USANederland
EuropeUSA
Italy
EuropeNorth Korea
USA, California
WorldwideAsiaEurope
Germany
North America
Nagorno-Karabakh
USA
Germany

Actionadvice given
advice givenchangeset commented, revertedchangeset commented, revertedchangeset commented, revertedchangeset commented, revertedchangeset commented, reverted
no action neededblock issued
block issued
block issued, changeset commented
reverted
block issued, changeset commented
block issued
block issued
revertedhiding of notes or comments
in progresschangeset commented
advice given
revertedin progressadvice givenchangeset commented
advice given
block issued, revertedchangeset commented
block issued
no action needed
advice given
revertedreverted
block issued
advice given, block issued
advice given
revertedin progress
block issued

5

Created2017/02/14
2017/02/14
2017/02/15
2017/02/15
2017/02/15
2017/02/16
2017/02/16
2017/02/16
2017/02/17
2017/02/17
2017/02/17
2017/02/18
2017/02/18
2017/02/18
2017/02/18
2017/02/18
2017/02/19
2017/02/20
2017/02/20
2017/02/20
2017/02/20
2017/02/21
2017/02/23
2017/02/23
2017/02/24
2017/02/24
2017/02/24
2017/02/24
2017/02/24
2017/02/24
2017/02/25
2017/02/25
2017/02/27
2017/02/27
2017/02/28
2017/02/28
2017/03/01
2017/03/01

Type
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
import from potentially incompatible source
spam or poor mapping
otherimport from potentially incompatible source
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsiveness
import from potentially incompatible source
user conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
request for technical help e.g. revert
general request for information
request for technical help e.g. revert
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
general request for information
other
undiscussed or other problematic import
general request for information
user conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessgeneral request for information
other
undiscussed or other problematic importspam or poor mapping
undiscussed or other problematic importundiscussed or other problematic importundiscussed or other problematic importuser conflict and non-responsivenessRegionEuropeEuropeEurope
CanadaUSA
UK
Russia, Yaroslavl Oblast
Philippines
Romania
Germany
UKUSA
Italy
Germany
GreeceIndia
PakistanUSA, Massachusetts
EuropeNone
Iraq
Canada, Manitoba
South America
Australasia
Korea
Asia
Korea
Germany
Germany
Germany
ThailandThailand
Alberta, Canada
USA
AfricaMaldives
North America
South Korea

Actionreverted
block issued
block issued
in progressadvice givenotherreverted
advice given, block issued, reverted
revertedno action neededblock issued
block issued
block issued
block issued
revertedhiding of notes or comments
advice given
block issued
hiding of notes or comments
no action neededchangeset commented
no action needed
revertedrevertedin progresscommunity contacted
advice given
block issued
block issued
block issued
advice given
advice givenchangeset commented, reverted
in progressadvice givenchangeset commented
revertedchangeset commented, reverted6Created2017/03/01
2017/03/02
2017/03/05
2017/03/05
2017/03/07
2017/03/07
2017/03/08
2017/03/09
2017/03/09
2017/03/09
2017/03/09
2017/03/10
2017/03/10
2017/03/10
2017/03/10
2017/03/12
2017/03/13
2017/03/14
2017/03/14
2017/03/16
2017/03/16
2017/03/17
2017/03/17
2017/03/18
2017/03/18
2017/03/18
2017/03/20
2017/03/20
2017/03/20
2017/03/20
2017/03/21
2017/03/21
2017/03/21
2017/03/21
2017/03/21
2017/03/22
2017/03/22
2017/03/23

Type
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mappingotherspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
undiscussed or other problematic importotherrequest to remove personal data
user conflict and non-responsivenessuser conflict and non-responsivenessgeneral request for information
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
request for technical help e.g. revert
general request for information
undiscussed or other problematic import
general request for information
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
general request for information
user conflict and non-responsivenessspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
undiscussed or other problematic importspam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
othergeneral request for information
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mapping
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsiveness
other
undiscussed mechanical edit
spam or poor mappinguser conflict and non-responsivenessRegionAfricaEuropeUruguay
LatviaEuropeWorldwide
India
Germany
Iran
Iran
North America
USA
BrazilglobalIndia
EuropeEurope
None
Worldwide
Denmark
EuropeAustralia
BrazilUSAEurope
North America
Asia
Asia
RussiaAsia
EuropeTajikistanChinaUSA
Germany
Germany
North AmericaEurope

Actionreverted
block issued
advice given, changeset commented
block issued
block issued
revertedotherhiding of notes or comments
advice given
advice given, block issued
advice givenchangeset commented, reverted
advice given
block issued, reverted
reverted
advice given
block issued
advice given
advice givenchangeset commented
block issued
advice given
block issued
block issued
advice given
block issued
block issued
advice given
advice given
advice given
advice given
advice givenchangeset commented, revertedblock issued, reverted
no action needed
advice given, block issued, community contacted
advice given
block issued

Created
2017/03/23
2017/03/23
2017/03/26
2017/03/27
2017/03/27
2017/03/27
2017/03/27
2017/03/28
2017/03/29
2017/03/29
2017/03/29
2017/03/29
2017/03/30

Typeundiscussed or other problematic importuser conflict and non-responsiveness
request to remove personal data
general request for informationinternational dispute
spam or poor mapping
international dispute
import from potentially incompatible source
request to remove personal data
spam or poor mapping
request to remove personal data
API misuse
spam or poor mapping

RegionIndia
Null IslandUSAUSA
CrimeaEuropeCrimea
India
Global
Ukraine, Lviv region
CanadaAsia
Russia, Tomsk Oblast

Actionadvice given
advice given
hiding of notes or comments
advice givenno action needed
advice givenno action neededchangeset commented
hiding of notes or comments
block issued
hiding of notes or comments
advice given
block issued

7

Reporting methodology
Each case listed is identified by the creation date of the ticket, the type of issue or complaint, the region
affected, and DWG action on the case.
Cases are manually coded into the following highly generalized categories:• API misuse: user abusing API for editing.
• DMCA notice: legal entity filing a Digital Millennium Copyright Act takedown notice.
• General request for information: a query about a data type, a process, or other at least semi-DWG
related matter.
• Import from incompatible source: user adding copyrighted or otherwise incompatibly licensed data.
• International dispute: mapping dispute related to international issues, such as border representations
or international attributes on objects.
• Non-international external complaint about data: an outside entity with a data issue (e.g. private
property, incorrect tag).
• Request for technical help: community request for DWG expertise, usually in reverting a complex setof data.
• Request to remove personal data: complaint about identifying information added to the database,whether on objects or notes.
• Spam or poor mapping: a user adding spam data or generally degrading data quality.
• Undiscussed mechanical edit: user employing technical means to edit OSM with limited or no humanintervention and not following the automated edits code of conduct.
• Undiscussed or other problematic import: user importing data without following the guidelines.
• User conflict or non-responsiveness: a conflict between one or more mappers, possibly due to nonresponsiveness in discussions about the mapping occurring.
• Other: issue that does not necessarily fit into one of these categories.
Reporting methodologies differed from the current system prior to 2017, so the listed action may be only
one of the many DWG actions for the case. Nevertheless, action definitions are:• Advice given: information is provided to the party.
• Block issued: a user block is issued for a user.
• Changeset commented: a DWG member reached out in a comment on an involved changeset.
• Hiding of notes or comments: in the case of personal data or spam, the note or comment was hiddenfrom public view.
• No action needed: the community resolved the case, the suspected violation was indeed not actuallytrue, or the case required no intervention.
• Reverted: data in question were reverted and possibly redacted.
• Other: action does not necessarily fit into one of these categories.
Prepared by Ethan Nelson for the Data Working Group8