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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pentagon bans Google map-makers | Pentagon bans Google map-makers |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The US defence department has banned the giant internet search engine Google from filming inside and making detailed studies of US military bases. | The US defence department has banned the giant internet search engine Google from filming inside and making detailed studies of US military bases. |
| Close-up, ground-level imagery of US military sites posed a "potential threat" to security, it said. | Close-up, ground-level imagery of US military sites posed a "potential threat" to security, it said. |
| The move follows the discovery of images of the Fort Sam Houston army base in Texas on Google Maps. | The move follows the discovery of images of the Fort Sam Houston army base in Texas on Google Maps. |
| A Google spokesman said that where the US military had expressed concerns, images had been removed. | A Google spokesman said that where the US military had expressed concerns, images had been removed. |
| Google has now been barred from filming and conducting detailed studies of bases, following the discovery of detailed, three-dimensional panoramas online - and in particular, views of the Texan base. | |
| While [Google Earth] is a very useful tool, there has to be a balance Gary RossUS military spokesman | While [Google Earth] is a very useful tool, there has to be a balance Gary RossUS military spokesman |
| "Images include 360-degree views of the covered area to include access control points, barriers, headquarters, facilities and community areas," said the defence department in a statement quoted by AFP news agency. | "Images include 360-degree views of the covered area to include access control points, barriers, headquarters, facilities and community areas," said the defence department in a statement quoted by AFP news agency. |
| It said such detailed mapping could pose a threat. | It said such detailed mapping could pose a threat. |
| Google spokesman Larry Yu said the decision by a Google team to enter the Texas base and undertake a detailed survey, had been "a mistake". | |
| He told the BBC News website that detailed study of such sensitive sites was not Google policy. | |
| Individuals and governments | Individuals and governments |
| Military officials are currently looking into exactly what imagery is available - though it may not be able to order its removal if images are taken from public streets. | |
| Among the popular mapping services offered by Google are Street View, which allows web users to "drive" along virtual US landscapes with ground-level views, and Google Earth, which offers detailed satellite and 3D images of locations around the world. | Among the popular mapping services offered by Google are Street View, which allows web users to "drive" along virtual US landscapes with ground-level views, and Google Earth, which offers detailed satellite and 3D images of locations around the world. |
| In this case, it was imagery offered on Street View that caused the concern. | |
| But both have provoked complaints - from individuals depicted in the images and from governments concerned that satellite images could compromise security. | |
| Gary Ross, a spokesman for the US Northern Command, told AFP that although such services could be useful, "there has to be a balance". | |
| But Mr Yu said Google would listen to concerns about privacy and security. | |
| "We try to have a compliant image removal policy - not only relative to the military but to consumers also," said Mr Yu. | |
| "If people have concerns, they should contact us." |