Google Earth - Is It Terrorist Tool or Educational Software?
Mohen Naorem

When we were kids, elders had warned us not to do any pranks or so-called sins in privacy. Reason being God is always looking at us from Sky! We carried this phobia until; Google Earth comes down the memory lane. Is it really the sky eye or Terrorist Tool?

There is no need to feel insecure as many people concluded. Man has a very bad habit of spying people's privacy; try to escape from them! If you don't have a privacy to hide, no need to fear from Google Earth and other image capturing satellites.

Google Earth does nothing different than many other tools that have done throughout the years, except make it easier for the general masses to use. Earlier, Terra Earth and others have shown the same satellite images for years. Google Earth was already available before Google stamped their name on it. Google simply bought it from Keyhole and made it usable on their website which makes it more free to the public.

With Google Earth, we could unearth everything that is done in privacy, to maintain peace and security. However, many political leaders had warned of a serious threat from terrorists. People feared that Google Earth would be the handy tool for terrorists to exploit. Google Earth is no more a 'Terrorist Tool' than an everyday automobile that millions of people drive all the time.

One can buy satellite imagery in International market. However, such satellite images available are not real time and serve no operational purposes. Where is Osama hiding now? If the data provided by Google Earth is so accurate and reliable, US could have arrested Osama who is wandering in the Afghan-Pak borders. Why can't US successful in curbing Islamic terrorists till now.

They have been using more powerful and effective satellite imagery system since long time. So notions on how accurate and possible hazards this software are nothing, but baseless!

Every nation spends around 30 percent of the national budget to keep its bases a secret, and Google can't let it away for a click. Lots of secret information and data are available online. Anybody can pose a threat from these live records. Should we ban the Internet also?

Today, most of the companies doing satellite mapping are subject to US rules, regulations and laws - which probably prohibit satellite mapping of US military installations and strategic interests. The same rules do not apply to satellite monitoring of India and other countries. If every country has a set of rules on this issue, google earth could be a friendly tool, rather than a matter of headache!

Think about seeing the topography in Pakistan that was hit by the recent earthquake and the havoc done in US by Katrina and Rita with Google Earth. Imagine looking at a bird's eye view of the world around you. People started using it for mapping, making trip routes. It can be used as great educational tool too!