Google Earth Imagery Under Thai Fire Over Security

[george]

Internet satellite imagery under fire over security

BANGKOK: -- Asian governments have expressed security concerns about easy access to detailed satellite images on the Internet, such as those used by rescuers in New Orleans, saying the technology could endanger sensitive sites.

Thailand and South Korea were the most vocal critics of the search tool on Wednesday, rounding on providers like U.S.-based Google Inc, which runs the Web site www.earth.google.com, and demanding action from Washington.

"We are looking for possible restrictions on these detailed pictures, especially state buildings," the Thai Armed Forces spokesman, Major-General Weerasak Manee-in, told Reuters. "I think pictures of tourist attractions should do."

Satellite images provided by Google have been widely used by broadcasters to show the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Such technology has also been used by authorities coordinating rescue and relief operations in the devastated area.

Google calls the tool "a 3D interface to the planet". Any Internet user can zoom in and out of scores of cities around the world, zeroing in on locations right down to street level.

The Thai military will discuss the technology with telecommunications and security agencies before approaching Google and other companies that provide similar services, Weerasak said.

A spokeswoman for Google in Japan declined comment.

South Korean government officials have said they will contact officials in Washington to express their security concerns about the Google Earth product.

Among the buildings that can be seen on Google Earth, with a high-resolution package, are the South Korean president's residence, military bases and the defence security command. The government restricts information about the location of these facilities and their construction.

South Korea is technically still at war with its northern neighbour and armed North Korean agents have tried to infiltrate the area around the presidential Blue House.

TECHNOLOGY UNSTOPPABLE

Sri Lanka's military spokesman, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake, said it was a serious concern if anyone could get detailed images of sensitive installations and buildings. "But this is a new trend, we will first have to see whether, in this day and age, if this a considerable threat to national security."

"In this era of technology -- you have to live with the fact that almost everything is on the Internet -- from bomb-making instructions to assembling aircraft. So it's something the military has to learn to live with and adapt," Ratnayake said.

A security official in India said the issue of satellite imagery had been discussed at the highest level but the government had concluded that "technology cannot be stopped".

"We are aware that there are Web sites which give detailed pictures of buildings like the president's house including every tree in the compound. Our security agencies are aware of this but how can we stop technology?" said the official, who asked not to be named.

The Australian Department of Defence said it was taking "appropriate measures to manage the threat" posed by such technology. It did not elaborate.

But the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), which operates the nation's only nuclear reactor -- a research facility at Lucas Heights in Sydney -- said the current images on Google posed no security risk.

"Although buildings are clearly visible, critical infrastructure is not. The photographs are over two years old," ANSTO has said in a statement.

In Tokyo, an official in charge of crisis management at Japan's Cabinet Secretariat was unaware of the service and declined further comment.

--Reuters 2005-09-07

[Tywais]

The Google Earth images were taken over a three year time period. They are confusing real time (depending on satellite position at the moment) satellite imagery (katrina assist) with effectively a very sophisticated map.

Governments that don't like it, well... get better camoflague

[Morden]

A fuss about nothing very much, I think. The Google images are low quality and useless at close quarters. The high definition images seen on TV are from the military so it could be argued that the world's most dangerous terrorists, certain Western governments, already have better information than the rest of us can see on Google.

In any case, what does the Thai government have to hide. I can drive around the Army camp near to Korat virtually unchallenged so a few snaps taken from a satellite can't be too much of a threat, can they?

On the other hand, I don't much like the idea that someone like George Bush can spy on my back yard and be able to track my every move when I use sat. nav. If you see me waving two fingers at the sky, you know why.

[Garry]

It still boils down to, you have to know where to look and what your looking at. I found a lot of bases I have been attached to, but what does surprise is the constant flowing grid references with the cursor. Not sure if that is so wise or how accurate it is. Must check with my GPS at my current base and see how close it is to the mark.

Edited September 7, 2005 by Garry

[think_too_mut]

Found that my home (5yrs old) in Tokyo is a parking lot.

Also, my BKK home does not exist (20 yrs old). A block of land.

[penzman]

The pictures are up to at least 3 years old as our house isn t showing at all and not even the concrete slab is there. We ve moved here a year ago and it took the builders over 17 months to build it.

[fxm88]

On the other hand, I don't much like the idea that someone like George Bush can spy on my back yard...

At least in this case you can spy right back at him:

latitude 31 deg.34'57" N., longitude 97 deg.32'37" W.

For those of you without Google Earth try this link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=31.582383,-...05239&t=h&hl=en

Hey! Who's that cutting that nasty brush? Nasty Boys! -- Janet Jackson (Ms. Jackson if you're nasty)

[MyNameIsFarang]

The Thai military will discuss the technology with telecommunications and security agencies before approaching Google and other companies that provide similar services, Weerasak said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wonder if they'll also discuss the fact that there isn't f-all they can really do about it. Sure, they could bully the NIC into voiding Google's .co.th domain, but that's the practical limit. Unless they add Google's domains to the woefully inadequate "block list" that the police (mis-)manange. Thaksinapore at its finest.

[ChiangMaiThai]

At least the Thai government always knows how to make me laugh. What a bunch of idiots. They should be a little more concerned about the fact that anyone could walk onto the Skytrain with a giant black bag marked 'bomb' and the only thing the security guard would do is blow his whistle and tell him to step back from the white line.

[x-pat]

Google Earth is fantastic.

Some of the images are old, but others are not more than a few months old. Satellite technology was once reserved to the military and the governement. Now it belongs to everyone. It's a truly democratic technology. No wonder that autocratic governments complain about it.

Well done, Google!

Cheers, X-Pat

P.S.: Ever wondered why the public can get only crappy Thailand maps? It seems the government is holding the good stuff back. I know at least one department that is in the possession of areal pictures and military grade maps of every square wah in Thailand and it was previously possible to purchase high-precision maps directly from the Royal Thai Survey Department in Pranakorn Rd. - Not anymore! - It appears that the policy of selling maps to the public has changed during the TRT rule.

Edited September 7, 2005 by x-pat

[britmaveric]

If it were real time I could see issues - however dont see much use apart it being a cool gadget like program.

[samran]

P.S.: Ever wondered why the public can get only crappy Thailand maps? It seems the government is holding the good stuff back. I know at least one department that is in the possession of areal pictures and military grade maps of every square wah in Thailand and it was previously possible to purchase high-precision maps directly from the Royal Thai Survey Department in Pranakorn Rd. - Not anymore! - It appears that the policy of selling maps to the public has changed during the TRT rule.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As someone who is half Thai, I say with much certainty that the average Thai is pretty cr@p at reading a map.

That is perhaps why you don't find too many detailed maps around.

[sriracha john]

Thai military secrets?? hohohohahaha... that's a good one. Afraid someone might want to spy on their 40 year old, rusty ships?

It's all because Mr. T doesn't want any satellites hovering over the country that don't belong to him...

[stumonster]

Thai military secrets?? hohohohahaha... that's a good one. Afraid someone might want to spy on their 40 year old, rusty ships?

It's all because Mr. T doesn't want any satellites hovering over the country that don't belong to him...

or be able to see money changing hands......

[Ijustwannateach]

This one deserves a big eye-roll. Relatively low-level satellite imagery of any location on the planet is commercially available to anyone with a few bucks- certainly nothing unaffordable to terrorists with the funds to do any major damage- and taking what is effectively the world's most interesting atlas offline does nothing to stop that.

But in countries like Thailand where the response to pipe-bombs is to start restricting the sale of pipe, it's not surprising.

[Scott]

If Thailand's concern is about misuse of the information, I can only assume they are worried about terrorists. So, the gov't thinks it's OK to show details of the tourist sites!!

Thanks. That makes me feel really safe.

[Artisi]

One good thing about the Thai goverment is it's always good for a laugh. Talk about paranoia - but don't ever forget THIS IS THAILAND.

[Sphere]

...Major-General Weera sak Manee-in...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice name for a Thai govt official, what?

[gievali]

How long does present nationalist ToXic government think the Thai people are going to buy their pathetic propaganda cr@p.

Is maffiosi ToXic and his gang afraid the world is going to literally see the couple of thousand corpses in the streets or inside government buildings of murdered individuals in their war on the Muslims in the South and on drugs all over the country? It does not matter ToXic and his gang might be considered fools to Western standards. What matters is ToXic and his gang are neo-fascist murderers.

Edited September 8, 2005 by gievali

[roamer]

Strange that India and Sri Lanka see this as something you have to live with and that Thailand is uptight about it ? If you can't control everything and your a control freak it must rankle.

Of use to terrorists ? Had this imagery, and the measurements, been available to the IRA when they launched a mortar attack on 10 Downing St the results could MAYBE have been a little different.

Simple fact is that you can buy far more detailed satellite imagery, you only need a credit card.........

[yeti]

Thai government thinks it's dangerous, and everybody laugh about how stupid of them. Then don't forget that most western government also see this as a threat and have asked Google to remove some images (nuclear installations in germany amongst others...).

[Johpa]

There is nothing new to the paranoia of the Thai military of maps and imagery as the Thai military has much to hide. At one time they tried to prohibit the sale of basic topographic and even detailed road maps up north.

Copies of the old US military maps of the region were highly valued and quite rare until a copy was posted online. And I remember local authorities in Chiang Mai being in awe of the hand drawn road map on the wall of Mr. GT-Rider's (David's) old shop.

But the resolution of Google Earth over much of Thailand is not particularly detailed, especially over the more sensitive border areas, although illegal logging roads, known well to the military can be discerned by the discriminating viewer. As I said, the Thai military has much to hide, don't they Mr. Chavalit?

[exp9696]

For sure the milatary has mucht to hide , illegal logging