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The Korea Herald
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THE INVESTOR
March 28, 2024

Mobile & Internet

Lawmakers oppose Google’s request for export of map data

  • PUBLISHED :November 17, 2016 - 17:49
  • UPDATED :November 17, 2016 - 17:49
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[THE INVESTOR] Some South Korean lawmakers expressed their opposition to Google’s attempt to take the government-owned map data out of the nation on Nov. 17, a day before state agencies make a final decision on the issue.

Shin Yong-hyun and Choi Gyeong-hwan, both from Justice Party, released a statement, respectively, insisting the Korean government should not give Google access to the detailed map data. 




They said the use of the 1:5,000-scale map outside the nation could pose a threat to national security if the data on critical military facilities falls in the hands of North Korea.

The government requested Google -- as a condition – blur or censor fixed military facilities, but the internet firm rejected the request.

The lawmakers also claimed that the map information that Google hopes to use and store at its data centers abroad is “a national asset,” built by the public money that is critical to the next wave of industrial evolution that involves augmented reality and autonomous vehicles.

“The nation’s map data in which the military facilities are pixelated is already available for foreign companies, and companies like Apple are currently using the current map services,” said Rep. Shin Yonh-hyun in her statement, claiming the government should give favors to Google.

A group of eight state agencies led by the National Geographic Information Institute is scheduled to make a final decision on whether the government will allow Google to make use of the map information abroad.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)

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