Pentagon bans Google Maps

The Pentagon has banned Google map-makers from filming inside US military bases due to the potential threats to security. The move by the US Department of Defense follows the discovery of images of a Texas army base on Google Maps. Google has now been barred from filming and conducting detailed studies of military bases. A spokesperson from the Pentagon said such detailed maps could pose a threat to national security. Larry Yu from Google said the decision to enter the Texas base and undertake a detailed survey had been "a mistake". Yu said it was not Google’s policy to request access to military installations. Watch Video: Google's new Zurich office "In this instance, the operator of the vehicle with the camera on top requested permission to access a military installation and was given access. After learning of the incident we quickly removed the images," Mr Yu said. The Pentagon is currently scrutinising Google Maps to see exactly what images are available online. However, they may not be able to order the removal of images that have been taken from the street. www.maps.google.com http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil