The Pentagon Requests Google To Remove Military Images

The Pentagon has requested that Google pull images taken on the public streets near the U.S. military base from their Street Views channel.

The Pentagon has requested that Google pull images taken on the public streets near the U.S. military base from their “Street View” channel, because it could pose a threat to national security. Google has complied with the order, however many are questioning whether or not if The Pentagon’s request is conflicting with the “freedom of information and security”.

Google spokesman Larry Yu stated, “We have been contacted by the military. In those instances where they (the U.S military) have expressed concerns about the imagery, we have accommodated their requests.”

According to a Reuters report other pictures that were asked to be removed by the public included, one where a man was pictured exiting a San Francisco strip club; in another case, a woman was shown sunbathing. Complaints also included a woman asking for a picture of her cat be taken down which was denied to be taken down by Google.

Although local base security people didn’t mind, the Pentagon made sure to step in and issued a directive banning Google’s camera vans from the grounds of military bases, several news agencies are reporting.

According to NY Times, Michael Kucharek, spokesman for U.S. Northern Command, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the decision was made after crews were allowed access to at least one base. He said military officials were concerned that allowing the 360-degree, street-level video could provide sensitive information to potential adversaries and endanger base personnel.

“One of our drivers clearly broke our policy and that was a mistake,” Yu told Agence France-Presse. “We’ve reminded the drivers it is against our policy to ask for access to military bases, drive on private roads, ignore ‘no trespassing’ signs, etc.”

Google quickly removed the base images from Google Earth after being alerted to the situation by U.S. military officials, Yu said.

According to Zdnet’s Government Section, the Air Force announced it will be filtering out blogs