Crowdsourced map helps migrants evade European crackdown

As “irregular migrants” find themselves targeted by a European-wide crackdown, some online are helping them circumvent police check points.

The operation, known as “Mos Maiorum”, began Monday and will last two weeks. EU officials say the action will fight human trafficking, helping police document smuggling routes. But detractors, who worry the crackdown will lead to racial profiling, are fighting back online.

One app is crowdsourcing and then mapping checkpoints used by police. On its site, Map Mos Maiorum says it hopes it will make the crackdown’s effects “visible to everyone”.