Government denies permission to Google Street View

New Delhi

Expressing concern over security and privacy issues, the Centre has denied permission to Google to map Indian cities, tourist spots, hills and rivers.  

The moves comes after the Union Government conducted an analysis via security agencies and felt that allowing Google to cover India for the app, which would have allowed anyone to explore places through 360 degree images, challenge the country’s security interests.

While MoS Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju pointed out that issues related to internet-based apps would be resolved once the proposed Geospatial Information Bill, 2016 comes into effect, Google wanted to cover most of India through Google Street.

In collaboration with the Archeological Society of India, Google had launched Street View at tourist places such as Taj Mahal, Varanasi river, Red Fort, Mysore place and Chinnaswamy stadium earlier on experimental basis.

Sources said that Google will have to wait for a year or two for the approval.