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Google Earth A Security Risk

Overhype

from the i-spy-from-my-little-eye dept

Tue, Aug 16th 2005 4:22pm — Carlo Longino
Online maps are a big deal in more ways than one: the Dutch are the latest to raise security concerns over Google Earth, saying the images of government buildings, airports and ports could aid terrorist attacks. This follows similar statements from the US military in Iraq and calls from Australia for Google to censor images of nuclear reactors and other sites. Google already blurs images of some buildings, like the US Capitol, but a spokesman for the Australian attorney general's office says the satellite images have been reviewed and pose no security threat, as they're already in the public domain and available elsewhere. If a terrorist is sufficiently motivated to mount an attack and want satellite photos, they're going to get them with or without Google Earth. To shut it down over security concerns would mean preventing any useful or helpful applications of the technology too.
9 Comments

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  1. identicon
    Xander Sholtz, 16 Aug 2005 @ 6:54pm

    Bull sh*t

    I've been able to get sat. maps on the net for years (since around 2000 I think) Google Earth is just a new, cool, helpful way to do it.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Nick, 16 Aug 2005 @ 8:10pm

    Re: Bull sh*t

    Amen

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Boris, 16 Aug 2005 @ 9:10pm

    Agreed

    I agree, if a terrorirst really wanted to get a hold of some satelite photos, he would not use google earth, but a different service that would be a lot more clear and much more recent. People forget, that these photos are not brand new. They were taken sometime in the last 2-3 years. So, they pose no immedeate threat.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    BRIAN REISS, 16 Aug 2005 @ 11:13pm

    CREDIT CHECKS?

    I'LL LIKE TO ACTUALLY SEE A "FREE" CREDIT CHECK.ALL THESE COMPANIES DO IS SAY IT'S FREE,BUT YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP FOR THEIR SERVICE ETC., TO GET IT.THAT'S B.S. AND THERE IS NOTHING FREE ABOUT IT.IT'S THE GOOD OLD BAIT AND SWITCH AND SOMEHOW THEY CALL IT LEGAL? I'D LIKE TO KNOW JUST WHO THEY THINK THEY ARE HELPING, EXCEPT THEMSELVES INTO YOUR PANTS POCKET FOR YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY TO GET SOME OUTDATED JUNK.VERY LITTLE,IF ANYTHING, ON THE INTERNET IS "FREE".THAT STINKS, THE WAY THEY CAN MISLED. PEOPLE.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Aug 2005 @ 1:27am

    Re: CREDIT CHECKS?

    wrong article?

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    dan, 17 Aug 2005 @ 5:52am

    Re: CREDIT CHECKS?

    stop shouting in the wrong article.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Mike Sierra, 17 Aug 2005 @ 8:04am

    wrong link

    The link to the Capitol is actually referencing the White House on 1600 Penn Av. Go ESE a bit and you get to the pixillated Capitol.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Carlo, 17 Aug 2005 @ 1:37pm

    Re: wrong link

    Sorry about that. Fixed, thanks.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 16 Jan 2007 @ 6:28am

    I didn't see anything blurred out when I looked at the Capitol building... no pixelation or anything other than some construction in the road in front of the building.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]


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