Google Maps Helps Terrorists

In the older days (before Google Maps) obtaining a satellite images of a certain area allowed a paper trail of the buyer as well as the ability to block certain parties from obtaining such images. Now (after Google Maps), this seems to no longer be the issue and anyone, even terrorists, can obtain exact photographs of any one area.

The Telegraph outline such an issue, this wee, in which images obtained by terrorists via Google Maps were used for recent attacks on British forces in Basra.

The satellite photographs show in detail the buildings inside the bases and vulnerable areas such as tented accommodation, lavatory blocks and where lightly armored Land Rovers are parked.

Following a raid Shatt al Arab Hotel, headquarters for the 1,000 men of the Staffordshire Regiment battle group, officers found the camp’s precise longitude and latitude. This leads officials to believe that

“This is evidence as far as we are concerned for planning terrorist attacks,” said an intelligence officer with the Royal Green Jackets battle group. “Who would otherwise have Google Earth imagery of one of our bases?

“We are concerned that they use them to plan attacks. We have never had proof that they have deliberately targeted any area of the camp using these images but presumably they are of great use to them.

“We believe they use Google Earth to identify the most vulnerable areas such as tents.”

Should Google not map war zones? In my opinion, it isn’t even a question.