Summary
In the latest places release (2026-05-20.0), a significant number of points are geolocated in the ocean (off any landmass). Comparing the same geographic area against an older release (2024-02-15-alpha.0), the regression is clearly visible: the older release shows only a handful of off-land points, while the new release shows widespread ocean coverage across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and other water bodies.
Affected release
Reference release
Steps to reproduce
- Load the
places theme from release 2026-05-20.0.
- Visualize the point geometries on a map.
- Zoom to Western Europe / North Atlantic / Mediterranean.
- Observe a large number of points scattered over open ocean.
- Repeat with release
2024-02-15-alpha.0 for comparison — the same area is essentially clean.
Expected behavior
Place points should fall on (or very near) landmasses, matching the spatial distribution seen in 2024-02-15-alpha.0. A small number of legitimate offshore points (oil platforms, ports, lighthouses, ferries, etc.) is expected, but not the dense ocean coverage currently observed.
Actual behavior
A significant portion of points in 2026-05-20.0 are located in the ocean, with no apparent landmass association. The pattern looks systematic rather than the result of a few isolated bad records. When looking at these place taxonomies, the vast majority are not legitimate offshore points (eg, furniture_store, contractor, or garbage_collection_service).
Evidence
- Screenshot 1:
2026-05-20.0 — Western Europe / North Atlantic view, showing widespread ocean points.
- Screenshot 2:
2024-02-15-alpha.0 — same area, showing clean land-bound distribution.
Happy to provide more information if useful.
Summary
In the latest places release (
2026-05-20.0), a significant number of points are geolocated in the ocean (off any landmass). Comparing the same geographic area against an older release (2024-02-15-alpha.0), the regression is clearly visible: the older release shows only a handful of off-land points, while the new release shows widespread ocean coverage across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and other water bodies.Affected release
2026-05-20.0Reference release
2024-02-15-alpha.0Steps to reproduce
placestheme from release2026-05-20.0.2024-02-15-alpha.0for comparison — the same area is essentially clean.Expected behavior
Place points should fall on (or very near) landmasses, matching the spatial distribution seen in
2024-02-15-alpha.0. A small number of legitimate offshore points (oil platforms, ports, lighthouses, ferries, etc.) is expected, but not the dense ocean coverage currently observed.Actual behavior
A significant portion of points in
2026-05-20.0are located in the ocean, with no apparent landmass association. The pattern looks systematic rather than the result of a few isolated bad records. When looking at these place taxonomies, the vast majority are not legitimate offshore points (eg, furniture_store, contractor, or garbage_collection_service).Evidence
2026-05-20.0— Western Europe / North Atlantic view, showing widespread ocean points.2024-02-15-alpha.0— same area, showing clean land-bound distribution.Happy to provide more information if useful.