Slashgeo

Slashdot discuss a story about Google using pixelated imagery over sensitive areas, however, if you read the comments, you'll learn it's not Google, it's the original imagery provider who blurred the images. Their wrong initial summary: "While viewing my school (the University of Massachusetts Lowell) with Google Maps, I noticed that a select portion of the campus was pixelated: the operational nuclear research facility on campus. Curious, I attempted to view the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It too was pixelated. What or who is compelling Google to smudge out these images selectively? Will all satellite images of facilities that the government deems 'sensitive' soon be subject to censoring?" Not surprisingly, the same areas are blurred in Google Earth. But how about images from satellites operated by other nations, such as SPOT or Sovinformsputnik?

Ogle Earth offers an interesting discussion about Google's Vice President possible admittance that Google censors imagery in Google Earth based on foreign government requests. I waited to publish this to see if this would be contradicted, like all previous claims that Google censors imagery. Ogle Earth's vigilance provide another informative entry on facts regarding the absence of Google censorship. From the blog: "Another quote mangled by bad journalism, but still clear enough. Vint, please be clear on this: The Digital Globe imagery is out there for anyone to purchase or license, and no local Indian law will change that. If the Indian government is threatening Google's Indian subsidiary with specific legal injunctions if it does not erase certain satellite imagery, then please do tell us, as it would most definitely be news." Both entries are worth reading.

Ogle Earth discuss the censorship of the Chinese edition of Google Maps. From the blog: "He concludes that there is censorship in the Chinese version of Google Maps (and the omission of the disputed Arunachai Pradesh area between China and India is a clear giveaway), but notes that both versions are available in China — so you can always use the international version if you want. [...] The more likely answer is that Google is bending to demands of the Chinese government as a price for being able to operate in the country." In another entry, OE discuss new imagery censorship in France for Google data. See previous related stories below.

Ogle Earth talks about an article from South Korea's mainstream news site. "South Korea's government has long been unhappy with the transparency that Google Earth and Maps provides over South Korea (though it doesn't mind the view of North Korea one bit). Now South Korea's mainstream news site Chosun.com carries an article that seems to indicate things are coming to a head:"

An interesting thing this editor noted about the United States with concerns of privacy is that New York's GIS Clearing House restricts access to "sensitve content" since 911, while they are freely available at even greater detail through services such as Google Maps and Local Live. Is this another failed attempt at trying to control our data access, or should these free services be monitored closer as to not pose a threat to national security?

Slashdot has coverage of another mainstream GIS story. Here is their summary : "Reuters reports that Google is considering a Canadian launch of its Street View map feature, which offers street-level close-ups of city centers. But the company said it would probably blur people's faces and vehicle license plates to respect tougher Canadian privacy laws."