Latvia’s Halloween treat map draws more than 1,000 listings

More than 1,000 people have marked homes or businesses on a new map as places where children can collect sweets on October 31. LSM reported that specialists are also warning users to consider data and personal safety.

The website, saldumukarte.lv, was created by Krišjānis Dzalbe and Rihards Edels. It was initially intended for residents of Jelgava, but people across Latvia have since added locations. Some have included special passwords or a required number of knocks.

Dzalbe said the website processes only information needed for the map to work, while users share directions and other details voluntarily. In previous years, people had posted photos of their homes and their names in social media groups to help trick-or-treaters find them. The map brings those locations together, he said, making it easier for children to find treats and turning the search into a kind of neighbourhood orienteering activity.

Users cannot view all submitted addresses at once; the map shows locations within about five kilometres of their current position. Comments, including door codes and other details, are hidden until Halloween evening. The website also has measures to detect and prevent hacking attempts. Dzalbe said the small amount of data it handles is less attractive to hackers than larger databases.

Olga Graudiņa, acting director of Latvia’s Data State Inspectorate, welcomed the fact that the map requires only an address. She also cautioned that information could be misused in other ways.