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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?

3 of 411 comments (clear)

  1. So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    When terrorist plan their next attack using Google Earth, targets a location near you, and it kills your entire family, all of your friends, and leaves you completely crippled, will you think twice next time about securing sensitive data?

    This is very similar to news reporters reporting in Iraq back in 1991. They were perched up on top of hotel's miles away from the battle front, and reporting the precise position, direction, and numbers of the US forces. This information, freely available on CNN gave the enemy real time reports on the US troop movement and lost many US lives because of US reporters not thinking about their actions.

    Fast forward to 2005, these same reporters are now in the middle of the battle, inside the battalion where their own ass is on the line. Bet you, you will never see a reporter now tell you exactly what the battalion is doing now.

    How about soldiers IN Iraq who blog FROM Iraq, and write about their encounters and what kind of bullets the insurgents use that are actually effective against US armors? This person who blogged about this is costing his friends lives and signed his own death warrant because he had the urge to voice free speech.

    Free speech is one thing, but endangering the lives of your comrads, friends, and family just because you believe free speech is a wildcard to voice, print, or show whatever you think you want is another.

    Actions have repercussions, no matter how free you or your country are, and those repercussions usually end in death.

  2. Re:Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Oh my god, terrorists on the plane! We're all going to die!

    Oh my god, terror alert level Red!

    Oh my god oh my god of my god!!!!11!!11!!!one!!!

    I mean seriously, come on. Do you really believe that drivel? It will now be easier for them to fly into other targets?

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA hahahahahAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHH A.

    Ha!

  3. Re:Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The American Left: If it doesn't fit into our political agenda, it doesn't exist.
    See also the decaying public school system, frivolous lawsuits, failed war on poverty, et al.