Google is in talks with government agencies in India to blur aerial images of sensitive sites in its satellite photo service, Google Earth.
BANGALORE: Internet firm Google is in talks with government agencies in India to blur aerial images of sensitive sites in its satellite photo service Google Earth, as sought by New Delhi.
Google officials indicated they saw no hitch in addressing the concerns and issues raised by the government and made it clear that whatever New Delhi asked for in this context would be complied with.
"We are in conversation with the Indian Government," Prasad Ram, Centre Head and Engineering Director, Google India R&D, said on Tuesday, adding that Google's legal team is handling the matter.
India had expressed concern over images of its defence and scientific establishments that provided a detailed view, in Google Earth. Even President APJ Abdul Kalam had voiced his concern.
"We worked with governments and there haven't been situations where we are not able to come to a resolution to meet whatever security and other concerns the government may have," Ram said.
Google officials said sensitive locations as identified by the government could be blurred, camouflaged or distorted, using some methods, including lowering of resolution.
Google's Vice-President and Chief Internet Evangelist Vinton G Cerf, who is on a visit to India, said, "Our policy is when have an issue...arising from national authorities... we take it away. We do understand that problem".
Cerf, co-designer with Robert Kahn of TCP/IP protocols and basic architecture of the Internet, however, sought to rubbish claims that images on Google Earth are leading to security concerns.
"Data that we are using is not ours. Typically, it's available for free like NASA Landsat. Anyone could have access to it. So, removing it from Google Earth does not necessarily solve the problems. Because imagery is there. It's also commercially accessible," he pointed out.
Cerf added, "If you want that information, particularly if someone deliberately wanted the security overhead in order to mount an attack...if they have a coherent capability to attack, probably they may also have the ability to purchase the information".
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}