Google Terror Threat

bogd wrote to mention a CNN article wherein Indian President Abdul Kalam stated his concerns that Google Maps could be used to aid terrorists. From the article: "The Google site contains clear aerial photos of India's parliament building, the president's house and surrounding government offices in New Delhi. There are also some clear shots of Indian defense establishments. Debbie Frost, spokewoman for Mountain View, California-based Google, noted that the software uses information already available from public sources and the images displayed are about one to two years old, not shown in real time."

First postage!!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

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outsourcing

[Anonymous Coward]

looks like india has outsourced their equivalent dhs and military intelligence to USA

Access Control

[Jack Earl]

So all they should do is put up one of those "Are you crazy?" tests before getting into Google Maps, but they can change the words around to say things like, "Do you enjoy looking at outdated pictures of geography for the places you want to destroy?" [ ] Strongly Agree [ ] Agree [ ] Disagree [ ] Strongly Disagree

less work

[icepick72]

the software uses information already available from public sources and the images displayed are about one to two years old,

Ok then, more easily-accessible terrorist information. I mean, Google could blur out all security-sensitive buildings like the White House but then the terrorists know to bomb the blurry spots, or to go to the local tour agency in D.C and pick up a map of the city. Or buy Microsoft flight simulator and practice crashing planes into buildings (ya, they blurred out stuff too), etc etc. The list goes on. I agree that the information is already available like the Google spokespersons says. Google just makes it more convenient to access, that's all. Everybody has to go to less work for good and bad purposes.

So, does this mean..

[aurb]

that Google Maps is as evil as Linux, because terrorists might use it?

Re:So, does this mean..

[Anonymous Coward]

Over 90% of terrorists use Windows.

No, no, a question.

[Karma_fucker_sucker]

What they should do is ask "Are you a terrorist?"

If they answer yes, then redirect them to www.disney.com. Otherwise, allow them access. It's works great for the pr0n industry. You know,the question they like to ask "Are you 18 years of age or older?" This is fine for the politicians regarding pr0n access, why not for Google maps?

Politicians, they are sooo paranoid, except when it comes for fiscal reponsibility.

As an American...

[MightyYar]

...I'm comforted by this reminder that most politicians are morons, and that George Bush is not that special.

Re:Access Control

[AndroidCat]

So I guess they won't be offering the option to put damage zone rings for various kilo/mega-tonnage explosions at the center of the map any time soon? (There was a page [non-Google] that did that a few years ago. I think the "map location of spammer's house" slashdottings killed it rather than security reasons.)

US Schools

[Herkum01]

Does this explain why the US school system is so bad? Is it to prevent those people from being skilled enough to read and become terrorists?

Government ideas to counter terror

[saskboy]

Obviously MS should bug their Flight simulator to contact the government by the Internet if anyone crashes a plane into a building.

And anyone caught looking up popular destinations only in Google Maps, is headed to Guantanamo. Don't bother packing, they'll provide a toothbrush for you. /sarcasm.

Re:No, no, a question.

[ceejayoz]

Last time I bought a Dell they asked me if I planned on using it for nuclear weapons. Heh.

Re:Dr Kalam says more than that.

[Colonel Cholling]

The failure of your link to show anything useful is due less to obfuscation on the part of Google, and more to the fact that the White House isn't located at 1 Pennsylvania Avenue, but at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Maps are only helpful if you know which address you're looking for.

Where will they stop ?...

[Thomas Miconi]

looks like india has outsourced their equivalent dhs and military intelligence to USA

After reading the "arguments" of the Indian president, I would rather think that the US has outsourced government cluelessness to India.

Thomas-