Government Blocks Google Street View in India

The Indian Government has halted plans from Google to put Indian cities, tourists spots, hills, and rivers in an application in which one can explore through 360-degree, panoramic and street-level images.

According to the security agencies and home ministry, these pictures can be used for planning of terrorist attacks that might ultimately lead to events like those in 2008 that took place in Mumbai.

Street view, which was earlier just launched as a test in the US is now showcasing 360-degree panoramic views to include locations on all seven continents, covering 65 plus countries and has travelled seven million plus miles.

Google has often run into trouble with their Maps platform, in countries that take privacy, including many in the EU. In Germany, homeowners can log into street view and blur their homes.

Google with the Archaeological Survey of India has already added their street view to the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Varanasi river bank, Nalanda University, Mysore Palace, Thanjavur Temple, Chinnaswamy Stadium besides others in partnership with the Archaeological Society of India.

But now, the Government of India has blocked Google from going ahead with Street View due to fear of potential terrorist attacks. However, if the fear of terrorism holds back progress, then terrorism at a certain level has already been achieved.

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