tldr:
- what3words (w3w) is a flawed application for identifying a location that is trying to be monetised.
- Monetising w3w relies on becoming a preferred method.
- w3w targets emergency services to help promote its application.
- The geocode system used is highly flawed and is believed to be a risk to life.
- Staffordshire Police undertook a marketing campaign seemingly aimed at promoting w3w and providing safety advice contrary to that seen elsewhere.
- We asked Staffordshire Police for more information about how the campaign was chosen, designed and promoted.
- Staffordshire Police provided copies of the communications and media packs associated.
request:
Dear Staffordshire Police,
In reference to my previously mishandled FOI request at https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/p… can you please:
Provide all communications and other resources relating to the recent promotion of what3words on your twitter feed as linked https://twitter.com/StaffsPolice/status/… (the one where you suggest we download a third party commercial application and read its terms and conditions before heading out so we can get the handle.soaps.baker reference potentially encouraging people to remain in their car, rather than exiting our vehicle to the safe refuge behind the barrier where an emergency telephone is pictured).
The tag used in the public service message ///handle.soaps.baker appears not to be within Staffordshire and the picture does not appear to relate to the location tag provided.
This information should cover the ANY and ALL force departments OR third parties with which the force has liaised and ALL systems which may contain:
1. Who suggested this be content be promoted, including copies of any associated communications.
2. Discussions about the promotion and the content, including copies of any associated communications.
3. Please provide a copy of the campaign toolkit provided by What3Words along with any associated communications.
4. Any other relevant communications between the force and third parties related to the promotion of what3words and copies of these communications.
The request may be limited to this specific promotion or the campaign within which it is carried so as to reasonable keep it under the fee cap.
The format for your search shall be of any media type including but not limited to paper documents, telephone recordings, telephone logs, letters and emails.
The same request shall be levied with the appropriate PCC for completeness.
Yours faithfully,
response:
- FOI-14676-What3Words-Data.pdf
- FOI-14676-What3Words.pdf
- KnowExactlyWhere-Week-partner-comms-guide-2021-Low-Res.pdf
- FOI-14676-What3Words-Video.mp4