Residents of Zandvoort’s Parkbuurt are in conflict with the municipality over tourist traffic and parking issues, leading to a digital protest that has drawn both local and media attention. The residents, feeling overwhelmed by the constant influx of tourists, took matters into their own hands by falsely marking streets as closed on Google Maps to redirect traffic.

The move was triggered by the residents’ belief that the municipality is underestimating the extent of the problem and failing to provide adequate parking solutions. Saskia Kamerbeek, a Parkbuurt resident, argues that the neighborhood is busy with traffic throughout the year, not just on peak summer days, and that the situation has worsened in recent years due to the closure of parking areas and the allowance of non-resident parking within the neighborhood.

Municipal authorities have criticized the residents’ actions, with Alderman Gert-Jan Bluijs labeling it a “guerrilla action” and “vigilante” behavior. The municipality maintains that the residents blocked five streets on Google Maps, while residents deny closing access to a major parking area. The local government says most residents are happy and they are working on creating more parking spaces and improving signage to alleviate congestion in residential areas.

According to Jeffrey Benning of Localyse, the company that acts as an intermediary for Google Maps in the Benelux, manipulating navigation apps is becoming increasingly common, however, he insists it’s not that simple and there must be a minimum number of reports to make it credible. The residents have ceased their digital disobedience after the municipality intervened and placed signs advising drivers to follow parking routes instead of relying solely on navigation software.