Finally, Google Satellite To Block Out Strategic Indian Sites

Indian daily Hindustan Times reports that Google will blur key India sites. This comes after Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam voiced worries back in 2005.

"Google Earth will not only blur pictures of sites that the Indian government considers sensitive, but also distort building plans of key facilities. Google’s representatives met Indian officials from the science and technology ministry recently to discuss the issue. Google Earth will accept the government’s list of strategic sites that need to be masked,according to a report."

Some of the images shown were:

A satellite image of a Pune, India airport reveals a few Sukhoi 30 MK1 aircraft

Indian Air Force (IAF) yelahanka base

Rashtrapati Bhavan

Back in 2005, leading Indian daily, Times of India reported on how Google software exposed IAF bases. The article said, " The level of detail even reveals the camouflage used to mask hangars,Pictures of Mumbai reveal with numbing clarity the docks where INS Viraat is berthed. Users can zoom close enough to take a reasonably good look at the deck of India’s lone aircraft carrier. Browse around and you can stroll past piers where warships of all kinds and submarines are docked. Pan across to take a long look at what lies beyond the fortified gates of Navy Nagar where access is normally controlled by gun-wielding guards. And if that isn’t enough, there are shots of a carrier under construction, which sources speculate, could be the top secret advanced technology vessel (ATV). It’s much the same thing with Bangalore. The air force base at Yelahanka with the jets and helicopters parked are available for all to view. And if it’s the HAL factory you’re interested in, zoom right in."

Good news for India's security. Good job by Google.

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