The citizens may soon stop the search engine Google from uploading maps of India online just because that might pose a security threat for the country. The news was confirmed by the Delhi High Court today as it issued the central government a very strange order.
It also asked the Centre to inspect whether Google should be stopped from uploading maps of India on its platforms.
The strange directive was issued by a bench consisting of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar while hearing a plea from lawyer Kisalaya Shukla. Shukla passed the court added that it is totally pointless restricting civilian access to defence establishments when citizens can easily access through Maps and satellite images on Google Earth
He argues that only the Indian government has every right to provide detailed maps of India to any outside party.
In addition to that, he pleaded the court only to direct the government to make its new NavIC navigation system available to the general citizens as soon as possible, so they don’t have to depend on the services of private entities.
Now, the Delhi High Court bench has asked the government to look into whether it’s really necessary to bar Google from making maps of India available.
If required, they also plan to issue a directive to the company in accordance with Indian law.
The basic thing is that supposedly Google Maps and Google Earth allow unrestricted access to hostile nations. As per news agency PTI, Shukla claims that the terrorists involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks used Google images to recon the city before they assaulted.