p2pnet - rss feed: Google banned from US bases
p2pnet news | Security:- The Pentagon has banned Google vehicles with roof-mounted cameras from all military installations after detailed photographs of Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio showed up on Google Maps.
“A message sent to all Defense Department bases and installations late last week warned officials not to allow Google vehicles access,” says the Los Angeles Times, going on US Northern Command spokesman Gary Ross said sensitive imagery posted on the Web could pose a security threat.
Street View, “provides clear imagery of control points, barriers, headquarters and security facilities that pose a risk to our force-protection efforts,” he said.
According to, Google it was a mistake and the footage of Fort Sam Houston in Texas was removed from its site within 24 hours, says the Guardian.
“Air Force General Gene Renuart said the decision to issue a formal ban was made after at least one Google crew was permitted access to the base. He was concerned the 360-degree, street-level view would make sensitive information – such as guard hut locations and building entries and exits - available to the country’s enemies,” it states, adding:
A person familiar with the matter at Fort Sam Houston said a base official twice granted Google access, but only after he was assured that Google would not videotape or photograph the historic base.”
“Unfortunately, Google didn’t follow the rules,” said the person, “who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the situation.”
Terrorists wishing to attack Fort Sam Houston, “will in future, therefore, have to rely on their own intelligence-gathering resources, backed by nothing more than handy US military maps (pdf) of the facility, and hi-res satellite imagery of the base on Google Maps and Google Earth,” notes The Register.
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Also See:
Los Angeles Times - Google mappers banned from U.S. bases, March 7, 2008
Guardian - Pentagon bans Google from mapping military bases, March 7, 2008
The Register - Pentagon rattles sabre at Google’s Street View, March 7, 2008
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