India slams Google Earth

2006-04-04 09:53

New Delhi - Google Inc's free mapping program on the internet compromises India's strategic infrastructure and the satellite imagery could be used for military purposes by adversaries, its army chief was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Google Earth, an internet site launched last year, allows users to access satellite photos that show some sensitive locations in various countries.

The site contains clear aerial photos of India's parliament building, the president's house and surrounding government offices in New Delhi. Clear images of Indian defence installations can also be viewed.

"These satellite images compromise our sensitive and strategic sites," General JJ Singh was cited as saying by the Indian Express newspaper. "This would give advantage to our adversaries."

Singh said India wasn't the only country whose security was affected by the availability of the images on the world wide web.

Internet experts say the Google site uses information already available from public sources, and the images displayed are dated and not shown in real time.

"Google has been talking and will continue to talk to the Indian government about any security concerns it may have regarding Google Earth," the Press Trust of India quoted an unnamed Google spokesperson from California as saying.

After Google Earth's launch, Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam expressed concern about the website, warning it could help terrorists by providing satellite photos of potential targets. He called for new laws to restrain the dissemination of such material.

- AP