Location-Minimising Middleware for Spatial Web Services
LoquiMap is an open source middleware and browser-side client toolkit designed to reduce unnecessary location disclosure in map-based, search, and location-aware online services. Many spatial web services currently collect and transmit exact coordinates by default, even where the underlying task only requires a broader area, approximate location, or temporary spatial context. LoquiMap is intended to address this problem through a practical, reusable software layer that helps applications work with less precise location data and greater user control.
The project focuses on minimum necessary disclosure rather than unrealistic claims of full functionality without location. In practice, this means supporting user-selected areas, configurable precision, privacy-aware request transformation, reduced logging, and client-side filtering where appropriate, so that exact location does not need to be transmitted by default in every case.
Why LoquiMap matters
Location data is highly sensitive. Even when a service appears simple, precise coordinates and repeated query traces can reveal habits, routines, home and work locations, travel patterns, and other forms of personal context. At the same time, developers and service operators often lack practical, reusable tools for implementing data minimisation in spatial web services. LoquiMap is intended to fill part of that gap by providing a deployable open source component that can sit between user-facing applications and existing spatial APIs or backends.
What the project will deliver
LoquiMap is expected to deliver:
- A reusable middleware component for privacy-aware handling of spatial requests
- A browser-side client library for privacy-aware interaction patterns
- Support for configurable precision and area-based interaction
- Privacy-aware request transformation logic
- Documentation and deployment guidance
- A demonstrator integration with a spatial web service
- Public technical materials to support inspection, reuse, and further development
How it works
LoquiMap is designed to sit between a user-facing application and an existing spatial service or API. On the client side, it can support interaction patterns such as explicit user-selected areas, approximate location, or reduced-precision settings. On the server side, the middleware can apply configurable privacy modes, transform requests where appropriate, and help reduce unnecessary exposure of exact coordinates, session data, and detailed query traces.
In simple terms, the intended model is:
User-facing application -> LoquiMap client and middleware -> Existing spatial API or backend
This allows privacy improvements to be introduced without requiring a completely new geospatial stack.
Expected outcomes
The expected outcomes of the project are:
- Reduced unnecessary location disclosure in spatial web services
- Better support for data minimisation and privacy by design
- Greater transparency and user control in location-aware interactions
- Easier adoption of privacy-aware design patterns by developers and deployers
- A reusable digital commons component that others can inspect, adapt, deploy, and improve
Open source and repository
LoquiMap is intended as an open source project. The source code, documentation, and related technical materials will be published in a public GitHub repository.
GitHub repository: soon to be available
Project status
LoquiMap is currently presented as a proposed open source effort. The project page will be updated as technical materials, implementation outputs, documentation, and public repository links become available.
Planned work includes:
- Technical design and privacy model
- Middleware architecture and implementation
- Browser-side client toolkit
- Demonstrator integration
- Documentation, packaging, and public release
Organisation
LoquiMap is developed by Obsidian Innovation Institute – Associação, a non-profit RTD and stakeholder association active in open digital systems, privacy and security, interoperable data-driven platforms, and practical software components for public-interest and innovation-oriented use.