3D View Google Maps Sparks National Security Concerns|Google Maps推3D城市地圖 引發國安疑慮

Google Maps is now providing higher-quality 3D city map functions, including 3D structures, for Taiwan. However, the maps also label in clear detail, everything from the National Security Bureau to the Patriot missile base, which has sparked national security concerns.


Google Maps' new high-resolution 3D views of Taiwan clearly identify the locations of everything from the National Security Bureau and Military Intelligence Agency to the Patriot missile base in Xindian. The maps are so clear users can see the serial numbers on the base's missile launchers, which has sparked national security concerns.

We formed a task force today that will go to Google's offices to coordinate with them. In light of our overall national security considerations, we hope they can accommodate us by making some changes.

The Ministry of National Defense says military operations will not be affected, but admits past attempts to negotiate with Google in similar situations were unsuccessful. Minister Yen De-fa says the ministry is trying to revise relevant laws, including the Vital Area Regulations. One military expert says many countries face similar issues due to the rise of commercial and remote sensing satellites.

Official or military satellites, even commercial satellites, provide high-resolution images. Under these circumstances, there will only be more and more satellite images in the future. The military can definitely ask commercial companies to blur out sensitive areas or use lower resolution, but at the end of the day it's up to the company.

The expert says every country has its own standards when it comes to whether ground structures are categorized as classified military information. He also says attempts to camouflage structures or missiles are usually unsuccessful because every country has its own detection satellites. According to the expert, the government should consider asking Google to remove the GPS locations of sensitive agencies.