Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has expressed concern about Google Earth and its satellite photos of high resolution that may be misused by terrorists.


Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has expressed concern about Google Earth, Google’s free mapping program with satellite photos. President Kalam feels that terrorists may misuse the information.

The President was talking to top police officials in Hyderabad, a city in Southern India, where Google has its office.

The Associated Press reports that at the meeting Kalam said he is worried that “developing countries, which are already in danger of terrorist attacks, have been singularly chosen” for providing high resolution images of their sites. [source]

The Google site contains clear aerial photos of:

India’s parliament building
The president’s house and surrounding government offices in New Delhi
Indian defense establishments
The city of Hyderabad

But some of the parts which are considered sensitive areas are greyed out and they appear in a blurred form.

The AP press reports, “Kalam, a scientist who guided India’s missile program before becoming president, called for new laws to restrain dissemination of such material. He said existing laws in some countries regarding spatial observations of their territory and the United Nations’ recommendations on the practice are inadequate”. [source]

“Google Earth Help” answers a question related to security:

“Can someone use Google Earth for stalking or other malignant intent?

We understand your concern and can assure you that Google Earth contains only information that is readily available from both commercial and public sources. For example, this same information is available to anyone who flies over or drives by a piece of property.” [source]

 

 

 

 

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