Google offers to blur sensitive sites on its map amid Korea's security concerns

Google said Tuesday it will blur sensitive sites on its map and satellite image services to address Seoul's national security concerns ahead of its decision this week on whether to allow overseas transfer of high-precision map data. "Just like in other countries, we respect national security and are working closely with the Korean government to protect it," Google Korea said in a statement posted on its blog, citing Cris Turner, vice president for government affairs and public policy at Google. "We have already confirmed our commitment with the Korean government to blur satellite images as required, and will be exploring acquiring imagery from approved Korean third parties where appropriate," the company added. The post came just days before a government panel is set to decide on whether to approve Google's request to export Korea's 1:5,000-scale high-precision map data. The panel meeting is slated for Friday. In February, the U.S. tech giant submitted an application to the state-run National Geographic Information Institute (NGII), seeking approval for the transfer of 1:5,000-scale mapWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times