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Just where exactly is Sam Houston?

Gelion

Gelion

Retired Captain
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
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Pentagon bans Google map-makers



The US defence department has banned the giant internet search engine Google from filming inside and making detailed studies of US military bases.

Close-up, ground-level imagery of US military sites posed a "potential threat" to security, it said.

The move follows the discovery of images of the Fort Sam Houston army base in Texas on Google Maps.

A Google spokesman said that where the US military had expressed concerns, images had been removed.

Google has now been barred from filming and conducting detailed studies of bases, following the discovery of detailed, three-dimensional panoramas online - and in particular, views of the Texan base.

"Images include 360-degree views of the covered area to include access control points, barriers, headquarters, facilities and community areas," said the defence department in a statement quoted by AFP news agency.

It said such detailed mapping could pose a threat.

Google spokesman Larry Yu said the decision by a Google team to enter the Texas base and undertake a detailed survey, had been "a mistake".

He told the BBC News website that detailed study of such sensitive sites was not Google policy.

Individuals and governments

Military officials are currently looking into exactly what imagery is available - though it may not be able to order its removal if images are taken from public streets.

Among the popular mapping services offered by Google are Street View, which allows web users to "drive" along virtual US landscapes with ground-level views, and Google Earth, which offers detailed satellite and 3D images of locations around the world.

In this case, it was imagery offered on Street View that caused the concern.

But both have provoked complaints - from individuals depicted in the images and from governments concerned that satellite images could compromise security.

Gary Ross, a spokesman for the US Northern Command, told AFP that although such services could be useful, "there has to be a balance".

But Mr Yu said Google would listen to concerns about privacy and security.

"We try to have a compliant image removal policy - not only relative to the military but to consumers also," said Mr Yu.

"If people have concerns, they should contact us."
Click to expand...
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7282635.stm

So.... now that thats done what countries would follow the US?
 
More than likely they blotted out Area 51.
 
Just checked :) still there..... yet.
 
Masquerouge said:
I don't understand how they were able to get inside the military base and take pictures in the first place.
Click to expand...

Many bases you can just drive in no problem. Some it takes me as much as ten minutes to get past the front gate.
 
Masquerouge said:
So if you can drive in no problem, why is there an issue with having pictures posted on google map?
Click to expand...

Just because all you need to do is flash an idea to get on that doesn't allow Haji in Meccastan to get exact planning procedures to carry out an attack.

Its just a good policy to not allow any base be filmed. If you pick out certain ones to ban then people know that those bases/posts/forts have something of value to target.

Although most of the good stuff is in non-discript buildings out side of the bases. ;)
 
The Delta Force compound is not even on military maps (it's represented as an 'impact zone').

I could tell you where it is, but...
 
Ecofarm said:
The Delta Force compound is not even on military maps (it's represented as an 'impact zone').

I could tell you where it is, but...
Click to expand...

There are lots of military assets that aren't on military maps.
 
@Eran: Funny :)

But I do. And I've had platoon seargents who have been inside!!

If you try to take a picture of it, they will come and take your camera away - they are always watching. I don't think they take your pants, though, so they aren't as bad as the Egyptians.
 
skadistic said:
Its just a good policy to not allow any base be filmed. If you pick out certain ones to ban then people know that those bases/posts/forts have something of value to target.
Click to expand...

Indeed.

It's just safe policy not to let people know too easily WHICH bases are the really important, secretive ones.
 
skadistic said:
Many bases you can just drive in no problem. Some it takes me as much as ten minutes to get past the front gate.
Click to expand...

To my knowledge there are no longer any 'open' military bases anywhere. Havent been since 9/11.
 
MobBoss said:
To my knowledge there are no longer any 'open' military bases anywhere. Havent been since 9/11.
Click to expand...

Oh no there are many bases/posts/forts that take little more then a photo ID to get in. You just show that license and they wave you in.
 
skadistic said:
Oh no there are many bases/posts/forts that take little more then a photo ID to get in. You just show that license and they wave you in.
Click to expand...

Thats not an 'open post'. An open post is one in which no identification is required and there are no guards at the gate what-so-ever.

And those that will let you in without a valid military ID will require more than just your license. They will also want to see your vehicle registration and proof of insurance in order to get a day pass onto the base.
 
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