In India, President Abdul Kalam stated, in an October meeting of police officials, that terrorists who plan to assault their government could use Google Earth.

In South Korea, officials are concerned that their rival North Korea could use the online images to plan strategic assaults on its presidential Blue House and its military bases.

In Sidney, Australia, operators of the Lucas Heights Nuclear Reactor have asserted that Google Earth and all its data could make their facility a basic target for terrorists.

Experts have been establishing a solution for all these nation’s concerns.

According Ray Williamson, a professor at George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, all the international complaints have no leg to stand on since there are no law books available about Google’s program. Therefore, the U.S. government is not likely to regulate the accessibility of these satellite images.

Other options of the international complainants include approaching the U.S. government which goes through the State Department and referred to the NOAA licensing bureau, a sector which regulates satellite photo distribution by private companies.

However, the United Nations could best clarify international and nationwide official concerns regarding Google’s satellite images. Stated on the 1986 resolution, data-gathering activities including satellite photography should not be conducted in a manner unfavorable to the rights and interests of the state.

According to Ram Jakhu, a professor of space law at McGill University, the U.S. government has an obligation to guarantee that none of Google Earth’s images is being distributed in a way other countries deem harmful to their nation.

On the contrary, majority of Google Earth’s images directly came from government sources such as the U.S. Geological Survey’s Landsat, MDA Federal Inc. and Digital Globe. Google is aware that they hold no proprietary rights to all its satellite images it displays. Approximately 3,000 artificial satellites are orbiting around the Earth to collect data and images, most of it available to any interested researchers or individuals.

According to Michelle Petrovich, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department Homeland Security, quality satellite images and data have been available commercially for several years. Because of this, the U.S. government has always taken into consideration in increasing security measures.

Google, extremely careful to operate within the law, makes use of its Google Earth service to provide an important public service. During the Hurricane Katrina, Google Earth provided detailed photos of all affected areas that led to the rescue of many victims.

Nonetheless, Google takes security measures seriously and is willing to negotiate with foreign officials with representatives from each nation.

By Paulene Calinawan
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