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US Bases Block Google Camera Crews

General warns of security breach after base photos go online

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2008 4:07 AM CST
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(Newser) – Google camera teams have been banned from US military installations after panoramic views of the inside of a Texas base ended up on the internet, the AP reports. The street-level images show "where all the guards are, how the barriers go up and down, how to get in and out of buildings," said a general worried about the security implications. A message sent to all Defense Department facilities has ordered officials not to allow Google Earth crews to photograph them.

Google executives say they've pulled the images and that their crew wasn't following company policy when they asked for—and received—permission to film inside the military base for the company's internet "Street View" feature. Street View has proved a popular Google feature, but Defense Department officials haven't been the only people to complain about security and privacy issues.

A view from Google Street View. The US military have barred Street View from filming inside bases, concerned about the security implications of making such views freely available online.
A view from Google Street View. The US military have barred Street View from filming inside bases, concerned about the security implications of making such views freely available online.   ((c) stallio)
Google sign inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., May 30, 2007. Google said a camera crew wasn't following company policy when it requested permission to film inside a US military base .(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Google sign inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., May 30, 2007. Google said a camera crew wasn't following company policy when it requested permission to film inside a US military base...   (Associated Press)
Kevin Bankston poses between downtown office buildings in San Francisco, Friday, June 1, 2007. Google Inc. bills the twist on its online maps as Street View, but it looks a bit like Candid Camera as you cruise through the panorama of pictures that captured fleeting moments in neighborhoods scattered across...
Kevin Bankston poses between downtown office buildings in San Francisco, Friday, June 1, 2007. Google Inc. bills the twist on its online maps as "Street View," but it looks a bit like "Candid Camera"...   (Associated Press)
Boston attractions pictured on Google Street View. The Google feature that lets viewers click on a location and see a panoramic view of that spot has been popular, but the US military has decided they'd rather not have such views of the inside of military bases online.
Boston attractions pictured on Google Street View. The Google feature that lets viewers click on a location and see a panoramic view of that spot has been popular, but the US military has decided they'd...   ((c) Go Card USA)
The Pentagon has barred Google camera teams from military bases after one crew mistakenly asked for - and received - permission to film inside a Texas base.
The Pentagon has barred Google camera teams from military bases after one crew mistakenly asked for - and received - permission to film inside a Texas base.
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Google pulls military base pictures
Reuters

Some (non-military) street-level scenes on Google Maps
Associated Press

Parents worry about what's on Google Street View
MyFox Milwaukee

 
Google • Pentagon • Google Earth • privacy • Street View • Department of Defense • military bases • Google Maps

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