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Terrorists using Google Maps to target Brit troops
Author: Ryan GarsidePublished: 15th January 2007
Terrorists are targeting British and American military camps on a daily basis.
The British military believe the discovery of such pictures is evidence that terrorists are using the web application to aid the efficiency of their attacks. British camps are under fire on a daily basis, with mortars and rockets being targeted at the weakest areas of the camp. An Intelligence Officer from the Royal Green Jackets had this to say about the discovery:
"This is evidence as far as we are concerned for planning terrorist attacks. Who would otherwise have Google Earth imagery of one of our bases? We are concerned that they use them to plan attacks.
We have never had proof that they have deliberately targeted any area of the camp using these images but presumably they are of great use to them. We believe they use Google Earth to identify the most vulnerable areas such as tents."
Google is obviously hesitant to respond, a spokesman replied:
"We have opened channels with the military in Iraq but we are not prepared to discuss what we have discussed with them. But we do listen and we are sensitive to requests."
Either way, serious questions need to be asked about whether Google should be allowed to send satellite images of sensitive areas, especially when it puts lives at risk. The answer that Google Maps can be used for good and bad surely isn’t good enough. One soldier told the Telegraph however, that it would still be too little too late:
"Even if they did blank out the areas where we are based it is a bit after the horse has bolted as the terrorist now have the maps and know exactly where we eat, sleep and go to the toilet."
Where do you stand on the debate about Google Maps – should it be allowed to show detailed images of military areas? Let us know your thoughts in the forum.
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Comments (22)
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Am I a terrorist?
Nice choice of image again! :D
And yeah, they should block them out. Don't they block out jails, etc...? Or was that some other map program?
Pain in the bum but I'd take a pain in the bum over an RPG in the bum any day... :/
Call me what you will, but I don't feel right complaining that the enemy is using any resource they can to fight their side of the war.
Homo sapiens are a very resourceful enemy to face on the field of battle. We adapt to survive, and we tend to make use of any and everything that is at hand to ensure victory, no matter what side of a conflict we may be on.
We (Americans and other coalition forces) use satellites and precision laser-guided weapons of destruction, and we're going to get our panties in a twist because the enemy knows how to read a map?
:?
Edit: And as far as showing the location of individual buildings on a base, that isn't anything an enemy can't determine from a few hours' recon.
come on, this is war, what's fair about it....
edit: i'd rather have large civilian gatherings censored for safety and the images are no where near upto date.
at WWII british intelligence used ruber tanks, trucks and buildings to confuse luftwafe air photos... that was at Africa (agiants Romell africankorps)... and it was a sucesful operation... why no take notes of history?
On the other hand, this shouldn't be an issue, 'cause Google, I think, should blank out parts of its map upon request when security is an issue. Ideally, going forward, they'd filter what gets provided so that instead of moving things reactively they're doing it proactively.
Maybe that's too subtle, but there's a difference; Google doing so willingly versus a politician forcing it do something. I'm all about the liberty :)
But in any case ohwell Im sure it will all work out in the end
Get over it
It's not something anyone needs to see,really. To the comment "it only takes a few hours' recon" - a few hours is quite a lot, really, and anyway why make it any easier?
'Course, the ideal solution...? Yank everyone out. It was a silly idea anyway.
Where I live in sheffield a new building has been standing for 3 years now and google maps still show a deserted waste land and not the building thats been her for years.
Google maps is one of the best inventions in the world allowing anyone to beable to see places they would never see in their lifetime. cant take it away.
Also does anyone have a link to one of these bases in iraq? Wouldn't mind seeing how detailed it is.
Google will show the lie of the land but I doubt it shows our side's tents as they are now, as suggested by one "Intelligence" officer. If so, a sneaky trick is to move them 100 yards.