Google Maps Algorithm Outperforms CAPTCHA Program

In an effort to improve the accuracy and reliability of the Google Maps service, Google engineers have developed an algorithm that could someday end the use of the online CAPTCHA program.

CAPTCHA is a program designed to stop internet spammers, i.e. bots, from using certain online services, such as Gmail and blogging sites. CAPTCHA serves as a barrier between spammers and humans, presenting blurred and distorted pieces of texts that current computer programs are unable to decipher, according to the CAPTCHA website. Chances are you’ve come across a CAPTCHA puzzle numerous times during your travels on the web, though, thanks to the engineers at Google, you may soon encounter this technology at fewer and fewer intervals.

The Engineering team at Google has recently published a paper claiming a 99.8% CAPTCHA-deciphering accuracy rate of their recently-improved Google Maps algorithm, which is designed to provide the program’s users with higher building location and street number accuracy than ever before. Company officials, says freelance technology journalist Liam Tung, currently make the claim that this new algorithm “can now accurately recognize 90 percent of street numbers, meaning Google Maps users looking for a particular building are likely to get a more specific result.”

The algorithm, which has been tested on the popular CAPTCHA service, has a nearly 100% accuracy when deciphering the most difficult puzzles on Google’s reCAPTCHA program, which is based on the originally CAPTCHA service. Though this algorithm may drastically improve the Google Maps program, it may someday test the online efficacy CAPTCHA, which was implemented in the year 2000. As an automated way to overcome the CAPTCHA obstacle, this new Google algorithm, according to Tung, “would be highly prized by spammers, who are always on the hunt for ways to automatically pass CAPTCHA puzzles.”

Only time will tell concerning the total impact of this new Google algorithm, and the complete effect it will have on the widely-used CAPTCHA service.

Sources:

http://www.zdnet.com/google-algorithm-busts-captcha-with-99-8-percent-accuracy-7000028537/

http://www.captcha.net/