Cerf Says: Google GeoData Censored in U.S.
Google Vice-President Vinton G. Cerf said that different nations and governments have different perceptions and views about having access to such geographic information.
‘Though I do not have specific information about India, we have addressed the issue in some countries. For instance, in the US we have removed or replaced information on some US installations with less resolution and blanked out the top of White House,’ Cerf pointed out.
Last I heard those limitations in accuracy were at the behest of U.S. authorities (DHS/Secret Service, etc.), who provided permission to aerial companies to flyover DC. That data, I understoold, came to Google “already altered.” See for example, the post about the Dick Cheney residence or for even further historical precident this GIS Monitor article about blurred USGS data.
Did policy change at Google regarding the U.S.? Did I misunderstand? Was Mr. Cerf misquoted?
