Google Maps: a developing threat?

 

Over the last 3 years, a series of attacks lead to the conclusion that Google Maps can be a very ”helpful tool” to terrorists, extremists, protesters, activists etc.

From 2005 until now, Google Maps have been banned from more than 3 countries and their use has been significantly eliminated in another 4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7282635.stm

Especially in the U.S. the use of Google Maps has been considered to be a potential threat for the country, as the U.S. Defence Department recently discovered that someone could easily access military information, clearly see control points, barriers, facilities etc. and actually watch the military basis in a three dimensional ,360 degree view!

The pentagon has come to the conclusion that Google maps had to be banned at least from all military areas in the United States.

Google Maps are not only invasive for the countries defence but also in terms of privacy and security (e.g. Aerial views of Presidential areas, houses of MPs etc).

In particular serious concerns have been raised by the Presidents of India, South Korea, and Thailand, stating that Goole Maps are far too detailed and high resolution for sensitive locations and therefore, have demanded from Google for these sensitive areas to be shown blurry.

 

Fort Sam, Texas on Google Map

~ by zoezzoe on March 9, 2008.