Google Blurring Sensitive Map Information

Cyphoid writes "While viewing my school (the University of Massachusetts Lowell) with Google Maps, I noticed that a select portion of the campus was pixelated: the operational nuclear research facility on campus. Curious, I attempted to view the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It too was pixelated. What or who is compelling Google to smudge out these images selectively? Will all satellite images of facilities that the government deems 'sensitive' soon be subject to censoring?" Not surprisingly, the same areas are blurred in Google Earth. But how about images from satellites operated by other nations, such as SPOT or Sovinformsputnik?

Comments

Killer Blobs, Run!

[Tablizer]

It is *not* an editing artifact; Fuzzy Blob Bacteria (Fuziblobicia Bacterius) has been eating structures all over the world. I think it was even what ruined a banana and avacado that I had on the shelf. It even ate parts of my house. Termites, my ass.

dont blame Google.

[macadamia_harold]

Curious, I attempted to view the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It too was pixelated.

Have you ever been there? That's how it looks! I think they built it out of Lego.

You think the US is bad, try Japan.

[Anonymous Coward]

In Japan, just about anything "sensitive" gets pixelated.

Re:You think the US is bad, try Japan.

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

"In Japan, just about anything "sensitive" gets pixelated."

No kidding. That's why I stopped browsing Japanese porn.

Opting out my house

[Kensai7]

Hey, can I drop a line to the Google Maps service asking them to fat-pixel my house? I have an epiphany toilet on the roof and I got to be sure I avoid awkward situations...

Sensitive areas

[Fuzzums]

When I'm laying in my backyard I want to be sure Google well pixelate my sensitive areas too ;)

Re:Sensitive areas

[rock217]

I wouldn't worry, it shouldn't be too many pixels :D

Re:Sensitive areas

[Rude Turnip]

Your use of the open-mouth smiley indicates you desire otherwise.

Re:Other country are not blurred ?

[smaddox]

We all know thats just the cover up Area 51, built afterwards in order to remove attention.

The real one is several miles away and uses an active camouflage bubble to hide itself.

Crap, am I posting from an unsecured lo ...CONNECTION TERMINATED...

Re:Great

[martin-boundary]

what exactly are we worried they're going to do with this information

Think man! If they blow up the buildings, it'll show up on google earth like a big ball of flame and smoke! What a way to ruin a map!

Headless Chicken Homeland Security

[BillGatesLoveChild]

> Not surprisingly, the same areas are blurred in Google Earth.
  > But how about images from satellites operated by other nations,
  > such as SPOT or Sovinformsputnik?

Don't worry! Everyone knows Osama only use Google Earth. He's still boycotting Sovinformsputnik over of the Soviet Invasion of Aghanistan (Go Taliban!), and said he wouldn't be caught dead using SPOT.

Re:Great

[speculatrix]

the difference between civil engineers and electronic engineers? the former built targets, the latter missiles.

Re:details for you

[davester666]

This story was cleverly planted by Osama to get you to post the locations of targets that you think are "sensitive".

Your terrorist overlords thank you.