BackDelhi HC asks Centre if Google needs to be restrained from uploading Indian maps
Court directed the Central Government to see whether Google should be restricted from uploading maps of India, including defence installations, on its web serviceThe court said the government can issue necessary directions to Google India in accordance with the law if necessary
PremiumNEW DELHI : Delhi HC asks Centre to see if Google needs to be restrained from uploading maps of India.
Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Central Government to see whether Google should be restricted from uploading maps of India, including defence installations, on its web service.
A division bench comprising of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued the directions while junking the Public interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kisalaya Shukla, who had contended that defence establishments that are closed for public are easily accessible through satellite images uploaded on Google Earth.
“Treat this matter as a representation." said the division bench comprising of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar.
The court said the government can issue necessary directions to Google India in accordance with the law if necessary.
The petitioner in his plea had asked for a direction the Centre to make available the India’s indigenous navigation system named ‘NAVIC’ to the general public at the earliest so that the people of India do not have to rely on the navigation services provided by the private companies of other countries which under the garb of providing such services, are accumulating geographical/ personal data of India and its citizens. The Petitioner also submits that no private company, whether domestic or foreign, should be allowed to map India, the right of which should exclusively be vested with the Government of India.
The lawyer alleged that the maps on Google were not only available to the general public, but also to the enemy nations. He contended that despite the central government denying permission to Google to make available its Street View service, it continues to upload panoramic view of all Indian cities and areas bordering the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
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