Google Considers China's "Web Mapping License"

eldavojohn writes "Back in May, China rolled out new laws requiring online mapping services to be 'certified' by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. The laws appear to go into effect this month. Today an AFP article outlines Google's consideration of these rules and notes that it's unlikely Google will meet the qualifications to become certified as all of its servers holding the mapping data are outside of China. The AFP also reported that 'Foreign firms wanting to provide mapping and surveying services in China are required to set up joint ventures or partnerships with local firms.' Unless large changes are made, Google's services might get a lot more stunted as China regulates onward."

Comments

Good ol protectionism

[antifoidulus]

China is CONSTANTLY accusing other nations of protectionism and yet are always pulling shit like this. I guess the lesson they are trying to communicate is that protectionism us bad, unless you are China, in which case it is good! I guess that is to be expected from them though, they constantly scold other governments on their fiscal policies yet refuse to open up their own books to public scrutiny.

Re:Good ol protectionism

[bloodhawk]

how about because other countries do EXACTLY the same thing, this is only news because it is google. countries all over the world (including the US) have restrictions on everything from foreign investment, foreign ownership and foreign imports and many even with the exact same laws requiring local partners in many sectors.

Re:Wait! -- What's that?

[Luckyo]

You do realise that after the opium wars and colonisation period, they're far more pissed at the West and Japan then at their own leaders?

We've been doing this PR crap here in the West for centuries now. It really isn't hard to deflect the rage of the mob towards the outside enemy. And as your argument goes, there's enough Chinese to wipe US and most of EU regimes.

Re:This is a joke

[WindBourne]

You will note that the strikes are ONLY occurring against foreign companies. Not a one on local companies.

Open Street Map

[ben_kelley]

This law has big implications for open mapping projects like Open Street Map. Have a look at the warning on the China page for OSM:

This [law] to outlaw the entire OSM project, and any participation or contribution. ... People visiting China would be well advised to avoid overtly wandering around looking at GPS units, and avoid carrying OSM related documents in your luggage. Or you might prefer to abide by these strange Chinese laws, and just not do any mapping there at all.

Makes complete sense

[Colin Smith]

Not exactly surprising, but not for corporate espionage.

Don't know if you noticed, but maps are militarily significant. If you have people providing maps of your country, using the gps on phones within your country to improve the quality of the maps, locate places, it's in your interest to have influence over them, particularly if your biggest competitor owns the satellites and the services run from within their borders.

I mean come on, the howls of outrage and surprise are laughably naive.