A geographic database is updated using image data collected in the background of a viewing application, such as an augmented reality application, running on a mobile device. The mobile device determines a current geographic location, which is used to access an outline template generated from the geographic data. The geographic data may include sensor data or images. The outline template is compared to the image data, and an error report is provided from the differences, if any. The differences are associated with physical objects that have changed at the current geographic location from a time when the geographic database was built or last updated to the present time. A typical physical object is a building that was recently built or removed. The error report may be used to directly update the geographic database or trigger further data collection at the geographic location.