RSSDoD to stop Google Maps from photographing any more army bases
By Tim Conneally | Published March 7, 2008, 12:03 PM
Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas mistakenly allowed a Google Maps street view vehicle perform a drive-through, photographing the army base in 360 degree-viewable detail.
An anonymous source told the Los Angeles Times that an official at the Fort Sam Houston auxiliary military base in San Antonio, Texas, allowed Google staff access on two occasions, under the assumption that a non-photographic online map provided by Google would be helpful to visitors. He claims that, while on base, Google did not follow the rules.
Google spokesman Larry Yu said his company has a strict policy against setting foot on military bases and private property, and the driver of the Street View van made "a mistake" in doing so. Google Maps of military and government installations traditionally do not extend to the highest level of detail in its 2D satellite view, resulting in a blurring-out of all but the vaguest details.
The problem with mapping a military base is obvious enough. Publishing detailed photographs of the installation would clearly expose what Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross, spokesperson for the US Northern Command calls "control points, barriers, headquarters and security facilities" to anyone with the desire to observe.
The detailed images will not be appearing on Google Maps.
In the short time the feature has existed, Google Maps Street View has caused concerns among many, wondering if Google will respect the privacy of those whom its cameras catch unaware.
You obviously haven't visited too many bases. Nothing to write home about. More exciting things can usually be found in a grocery store parking lot.
Score: 0
|Also I believe http://www.monstermariti...-find-on-the-internet-2/ was a larger screwup.
Score: 0
|The people at fault here are the security personnel "guarding" the gate. If they had done their due diligence and properly challenged the camera crew, it would not have happened in the first place.
They essentially allowed blatant espionage to take place. I honestly think courts martial are in order.
Score: 0
|If you think the personnel at the gate are making these kind of decisions, you're not well versed in military protocol.
Let me assure you that an "officer in charge" (or duty officer or NCO) was responsible for the witless oversight. Sure the driver may have fed them some BS to gain access, but a vigilant official would have sent them packing.
Culpability aside: Shame on you, Google! Compromising national security to achieve your selfish goals! Most irresponsible indeed.
Score: 0
|Give me a break. Did someone fall down on the job? Yes! Was Google at fault? No! As for how they got on the base, I'm not sure. They should have been given some sort of escort unless one of the people in the vehicle had a military ID. As for Google, they probably just uploaded what they where given without looking. Maybe now they will do a better check before they upload something.
Score: 0
|"the driver of the Street View van made "a mistake" in doing so."
If the driver didn't know better, either someone didn't train him properly, or he's an idiot.
Score: 0
|I think humans are good. How about we focus our attention on government sponsored terror.
Our fear clouds our faces to the point where we can no longer see ourselves, and so we ask, who are we?, why are we here?, who am i?
Terrorstorm
http://video.google.com/...ocid=786048453686176230
Endgame
http://video.google.com/...cid=1070329053600562261
9/11 Martial Law
http://video.google.com/...id=-6495462761605341661
Score: 0
|If you think "humans are good" you are deluded or ignorant. That or you live in a monastery.
Humans are inherently evil and when given a choice between one or the other with no consequences assured, evil wins almost every time.
Score: 0
|I sadly have to agree. The "pack" mentality has been proven over and over again throughout history. It terrifies me to think what otherwise "normal" people are capable of doing if they feel nobody will find out, or that they are above the rule of law. Social order leans precariously on the strength of law enforcement where predator and prey belong to the same species.
There is a reason why law books/libraries are so much bigger than those of any other field. Medicine perhaps being a distant second.
Score: 0
|Oh yes, there is a reason alright
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We *want* them broken. You'd better get it straight That it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against- then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." - atlas shrugged
Also more good viewing would be "The Century of The Self" and "The Power of Nightmares".
Score: 0
|Thanks Dude, I'll archive that Atlas Shrugged quote.
Score: 0
|A regular citizen would be charged with aiding and abetting the enemy and sent off to Guantanamo!
Score: 0
|skynet...erm Google is not a regular citizen
Score: 0
|A regular citizen wouldn'ta got on base.
Score: 0
|