Microsoft introduces Map Builder function to Bing Maps and improves the map data with the help of the community.

CTOnews.com March 3, Microsoft recently announced in a blog post that it will introduce a new feature called Map Builder for Bing Maps (Bing Maps). Microsoft hopes to attract contributors to add map data through this community-driven service.

Microsoft says all data obtained through Map Builder will be provided to OpenStreetMap. CTOnews.com learned from the report that OpenStreetMap is an open source free world map. Major mapping companies, including Bing Maps, use OpenStreetMap data.

Microsoft says it has built a new Map Builder service on the open source project iD. Any edits made by the user must come from ground measurements, personal knowledge, or aerial / street images. The company points out that users are not allowed to obtain data from commercial map sources such as Google Maps.

Users who are interested in becoming Map Builder contributors can go to https://www.bing.com/mapbuilder/, where there are objects for mapping, such as roads, buildings, waters, and so on.