Google Street View Rejected In India; Are Security Concerns Stopping Innovation?
Govt of India has clarified that Google Street View, the online mapping concept by Google will not be allowed in India.
The answer is now open, and it is pretty bad for technology enthusiasts and Google in India.
Govt of India has clarified that Google Street View, the online mapping concept by Google will not be allowed in India.
This closes the chapter here.
Now, the question is, are security concerns stopping innovation in India?
Govt of India: Sorry, We Can’t Allow Google Street View
Balasubramaniam Senguttuvan, a member from Vellore in Tamil Nadu had asked Govt. of India on the status regarding Google Street View. Since 2011, Google had requested Indian Govt. to allow them to map places and historical spots using their Street View technology, which can be accessed by anyone, online.
Putting to rest this matter, State for Home Affairs Minister Hansraj Gangaram Ahir has informed that Google Street View won’t be allowed in India.
He said,
“The government did not agree to the proposal,”
Via Google Street View, users all over the world can explore tourist places, cities, neighbourhoods and literally anything offline via 360-degree panoramic street-level imagery and view public areas.
Brief History Of Google Street View in India
In 2011, Google Street View was launched in India from Bengaluru, where they started online mapping of the entire city. Soon, local police noticed this and stopped Google’s special vehicles from mapping the city with their technology.
Since then, Google has been requesting Indian Govt. to officially allow them to use their software and cameras to enable full-featured Google Street View.
In 2014, Indian Govt. and Google initiated an experiment, wherein historical monuments and archaeological spots were allowed to be mapped online via Google Street View.
The experiment proved to be a hit, as online visitors from all over the world experienced panoramic views of historical locations in India. The Taj Mahal, along with Qutab Minar and Red Fort, was found to be immensely popular with visitors from all over the world.
Encouraged by the response, the list was increased to 31 monuments in 2015.
The same year, it was rumoured that Hyderabad will become the first Indian city to be fully mapped by Google Street View.
However, in 2017, Defense Ministry rejected the concept, citing security issues.
A Senior Govt. official had said that time,
“The main concern was the security of sensitive defence installations. The Defence Ministry said it was not possible to monitor the service once it was launched and it would be detrimental to national security,”
Last year, some reports emerged, which predicted that Google Street View could return, albeit only for historical monuments.
But now, after State for Home Affairs Minister reply, it is clear that Google Street View will not be allowed, at least for now.
As per 2017 data, Google Street View has covered 7 million+ miles, encompassing 65+ countries across all 7 continents. But sadly, India will miss this action.
We will keep you updated as we receive more inputs.
They want to paint a rosy picture of India while cover up the pathetic lack of Infrastructure and poverty lurking in majority of India. Anyone wants to see a 360 street view of slums right next to star hotels? If India needs to develop truly then it has to be open to constructive criticism and improve its intrinsic development rather than cosmetic makeup to the world. A true development of a country is not the giant skyscrapers or IT City you show off to visiting dignitaries, but going to remotest of villages in any part of India and witness a higher quality of life.