Hustler Words – South Korea is on the cusp of deciding whether to grant Google and Apple permission to export high-resolution map data, a move that could revolutionize navigation and smart city initiatives but also raises significant national security concerns. The sought-after 1:5,000 scale maps offer granular detail, showcasing streets, buildings, and even alleyways with unprecedented clarity, far surpassing the resolution currently available on these platforms.
The debate has intensified in recent weeks, with the National Assembly Defense Committee scrutinizing Google Korea’s data requests. Lawmakers voiced apprehension about potential risks to national security and digital sovereignty, echoing sentiments that led to previous delays in approving Google’s application. A key concern revolves around the possibility of sensitive military sites becoming vulnerable when high-resolution satellite imagery is combined with commercially available data.
A government official indicated that a final decision regarding Google Maps is anticipated around November 11th, or potentially sooner. This follows the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s decision last month to extend the review period by an additional 60 days.
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Google initially submitted its request to the Korean National Geographic Information Institute in February, seeking permission to utilize the detailed 1:5,000 scale maps within its app and to transfer the data to servers located outside of South Korea. Currently, Google relies on a less detailed 1:25,000 scale map, which includes points of interest and satellite imagery. In contrast, popular local navigation apps like Naver Map, T Map, and Kakao Map leverage the 1:5,000 scale, providing users with richer information and a competitive edge.
Past attempts by Google to gain access to South Korea’s map data were rejected in 2011 and 2016. Authorities stipulated that approval hinged on the company establishing a local data center and obscuring sensitive locations, including national security sites. Google declined to meet these conditions.
Following the August rejection, reports suggest Google has agreed to blur sensitive sites on Google Maps and Google Earth. The company is also exploring the purchase of government-approved satellite data from local providers, including T Map, to address concerns about satellite imagery.
Under South Korea’s Geospatial Information Management Act, government survey data, including maps and satellite images, cannot be sent abroad without Cabinet approval. This law, enacted in the 1970s, underscores the country’s stringent control over geospatial data.
The sensitivity surrounding map data is not unique to South Korea. In 2023, the Israeli army requested Google Maps to disable real-time traffic data in Israel and Gaza, mirroring a similar request made in Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Apple is also vying for access to South Korea’s high-resolution map data, having submitted its request in June after an initial attempt in 2023 was rejected. Unlike Google, Apple operates local servers, a factor considered by the government during its review process.
Reports indicate that Apple may be more willing to comply with government restrictions, such as blurring or masking sensitive sites. The company is also reportedly planning to use SK Telecom’s T Map as its primary base map data source.
The potential benefits of exporting high-resolution map data are significant. Enhanced navigation, support for self-driving cars and drone deliveries, a boost to tourism, promotion of local businesses, and the advancement of smart city initiatives are all within reach. However, critics caution that the primary beneficiaries may be U.S. tech giants rather than domestic users.
Google Maps boasts a broader global reach, covering 250 countries and territories, while Apple Maps is available in just over 200 regions.
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