TomTom Joins the OpenStreetMap Foundation As Its First Platinum Member

TomTom, the Dutch navigation software company most known for its GPS navigation systems, announced that it's support the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF) as a Platinum Member. It's a U-turn for the company, which launched an article in 2012 on what they called the 'negative aspects' of open data projects such as OpenStreetMap. From the press release: Last year, the geolocation company explained the instrumental role that OpenStreetMap (OSM) data is playing in its efforts to build the smartest map on the planet via the TomTom Maps Platform. Its latest move further affirms the company's commitment to the global OSM project. TomTom is contributing 20,000 euros to the OSMF as the first corporate OSM member to join the foundation at the Platinum level.

The OSMF is a not-for-profit organization that supports the OSM project in various ways, such as by running the OSM infrastructure and raising funds, as well as communicating with OSM working groups. With this annual contribution to the foundation, TomTom is providing direct financial support to OSM's operations and infrastructure, including hardware, cloud costs and engineering hours.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.