Google Earth and Maps recently updated its satellite imagery of Ukraine, inadvertently revealing locations of military installations without censoring them.
The move has sparked sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials and the public, with concerns raised over potential security risks. The issue came to light when Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), publicly addressed the matter.
“We contacted them to resolve the issue quickly, but their response was delayed due to the weekend. Meanwhile, Russians are actively circulating these images,” Kovalenko said.
Following the public outcry, according to Kovalenko, Google acknowledged the oversight and assured that steps were being taken to rectify the situation by blurring sensitive military locations.
The controversy highlights the delicate balance between transparency and security in satellite imagery services, particularly in war zones. Ukrainian authorities expressed frustration over the initial delay in addressing the issue, emphasizing the heightened risks posed by the uncensored imagery during ongoing hostilities.