The US Defense Department has acted to prohibit internet search engine colossus Google from recording inside and constructing in-depth profiles of US military bases. The measure is grounded in safety concerns – the department describing how detailed images taken within the confines of military sites stood as a “potential” security threat.

Google Maps Showed Images Taken Inside US Army Base

The order came after images showing the Texas-based Fort Sam Houston army site were found on Google Maps.

A spokesman for the firm pointed out that images over which the US military had shown concern had been pulled from its site.

News agency AFP quoted a statement issued by the department, in which it spoke of how the Google images “...include 360-degree views of the covered area to include access control points, barriers, headquarters, facilities and community areas."

Decision to Access Army Base “a Mistake”: Yu

According to Larry Yu, spokesman for Google, the company’s decision to access and record detailed information on Fort Sam Houston was “a mistake”.

Officials within the US military are now investigating the extent of the images available online. Their powers to demand removal, however, could be limited in respect of images captured from public streets.

Google Street View Images Caused US Military’s Concern

Google offers a number of mapping facilities. One of them, Street View, permits those using it to conduct a virtual “drive” along parts of the US at ground level. Imagery featuring within Street View provoked the US military’s concern in this instance.

Both Street View and another service, Google Earth, have been a source of complaints. These range from the personal – when an individual has featured within the imagery – right up to governmental level.

“We try to have a compliant image removal policy - not only relative to the military but to consumers also," said Yu, adding: “If people have concerns, they should contact us."

Source – Armed Forces International’s US Correspondent