Whose Knowledge Counts? Analysing Diversity and Exclusion in OpenStreetMap's Tagging Proposals Process

This paper analyses how gender inequality shapes OpenStreetMap's (OSM) tagging proposal process, revealing that diversity gaps intensify at higher participation levels. Maps are never neutral — their makers' demographics determine whose realities are represented or silenced. Systematically analysing every tagging proposals and votes since its creation using a purpose-built R package, we found that 59 prolific, mostly European and North American male users dominate proposal approval, while feminised proposals are underrepresented and disproportionately opposed. These findings confirm that structural inequities persist regardless of how well-designed, flexible and well-intended technologies may be. We propose governance reforms to make OSM's decision-making genuinely inclusive.