The Kashmir Telegraph

Jan 1, 2010

India likely to ban Google Maps and Bing Maps

Kashmir Telegraph News Service

Highly placed government sources have told KashmirTelegraph.com that India is likely to ban Global version (.com domain) and China version (.cn domain) of Google Maps and Bing Maps for questioning the territorial integrity of the country. While the Global version continues to show Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh, as disputed, Chinese version is depicting Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of China, with Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir shown as disputed.

“This a serious matter and we’re contemplating a ban, as depiction of inaccurate boundaries, in this manner, is prejudicial to the interests of the safety and security of India,” a senior Indian government official, based in New Delhi, told KashmirTelegraph.com, on the condition of anonymity. Under the Indian laws, publication of maps depicting inaccurate external boundaries is a cognizable offence, under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1961, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

The controversial maps, KashmirTelegraph.com, has learnt from highly placed government sources, dealing with this matter, are going to be blocked / banned in India by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, by invoking the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, section 69A (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public).

The government, it is reliably learnt by KashmirTelegraph.com, is in the process of issuing directives to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), to ask all Internet Service Providers to block these controversial websites / maps.

The websites, which face a ban in India are: bing.com/maps, cn.bing.com/ditu, ditu.google.cn, maps.google.com, google.co.in/analytics and google.com/analytics. Some web pages of National Geographic and World Health Organization (WHO) website, which depict inaccurate Map of India are also under a scanner and are likely to be banned / blocked in India.

While Microsoft Corporation, despite repeated attempts by KashmirTelegraph.com, refused to comment on the controversy surrounding Bing Maps, Google Inc and National Geographic in a statement to KashmirTelegraph.com justified their stated position on these controversial maps and expressed their inability to correct the Map of India in line with the Political, Outline, and Physical maps of the Republic of India, as published by the Survey of India.

“As far as Google Analytics product of yours is concerned, in absence of any committed timeline for correction, we’re constrained to ask you to withdraw the product from India, with immediate effect. And, re-introduce the product on the India-domain, once the maps used in the product, are corrected, in line with official maps, published by the Survey of India,” Romeet K Watt, Chief Editor, representing Kashmir Bachao Andolan wrote to Kent Walker, Vice President and General Council, Google Inc.

Earlier Kent Walker had in statement to KashmirTelegraph.com said that Google was committed to finding a solution (referring to Google Analytics product) that will be in compliance with applicable laws however refused to put a timeframe citing “engineering changes” and “least possible interruption of other services”.

“I would also point out that the depiction of maps on these tools is merely an illustrative representation of the region designed to assist website owners get statistics regarding the usage of their site in certain geographical areas. It is not drawn to scale nor does it purport to represent an accurate image of the maps. This is a well accepted position and users of mapping products do not look to map images on tools such as Google Analytics to derive information about cartographic issues,” Kent Walker further said on the controversy.

“Notwithstanding the fact that depiction of maps on Google Analytics may be an illustrative representation, it is imperative that map is in accordance with at least the outline Map of India, as published by the Survey of India,” Romeet K Watt was quoted as saying in a communication to Kent Walker at Google Inc.

Defending Google’s position on the distortion and misrepresentation of Map of India, Kent Walker said that it is Google's standard practice to show all disputed regions around the world on its global properties, such as on maps.google.com.

"It has been Google’s consistent and global policy to depict disputed regions as per the claims made by the disputing / claiming nations on its global properties. This does not in any way endorse or affirm the position taken by any side but merely provides complete information on the prevailing geo-political situation to our users of global properties in a dispassionate and accurate manner,” Kent was quoted as saying.

Localizing Maps to local domains to placate a particular country is pure convenience, and in this case is not acceptable from India stand point, especially with regard to Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. In the garb of complete information on the prevailing geopolitical situation, it is highly regrettable, Maps show J&K and Arunachal Pradesh as disputed.

Citing Chinese law, Kent justified, the wrong depiction of Map of India on the China version. “Products that have been localized to the local domain of a country, such as maps.google.co.in, are generally subject to the writ and jurisdiction of local laws and therefore depict that country’s position as per the mandate of applicable local laws. It is for this reason that while operating on the Chinese domain, we comply with the mandates of their local law,” Walker told KashmirTelegraph.com

Kent Walker insisting that Google does not in any way either question the territorial integrity or violate the mandates of local laws, but is rather a way of complying with the laws.

National Geographic, piggybacking on its existing relationship with the Survey of India and Ministry of Tourism, by way of Incredible Map of India, justified the distortion and misrepresentation of the Map of India on its website.

“When mapping the world at large, it is the policy of the National Geographic Society to have its maps show de facto situations and reflect the boundaries and names as closely as possible to those recognized by the governing bodies of the geographic areas involved. As a not-for-profit scientific and educational organization, the National Geographic Society strives to be apolitical, to consult multiple authoritative sources, and to make independent decisions based on extensive research,” Juan Jose Valdes, Director of Editorial and Research, National Geographic Maps was quoted as saying in a communiqué to KashmirTelegraph.com.

Referring to inaccurate boundaries of India, Juan Jose Valdes, conveniently passed on the buck to Google and Microsoft. “Web site features a few dynamic mapping platforms, including Microsoft Bing Maps and Google Earth. National Geographic content is occasionally juxtaposed with content from these platforms and therefore the boundaries and place names shown do not necessarily reflect the cartographic policy of the National Geographic Society,” Juan Jose Valdes said in a letter to KashmirTelegraph.com

Friday, January 01, 2010

Nov 22, 2009

"Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese Territory; Kashmir belongs to Pakistan, China"

Google has Three Maps for Three Countries - India, Pakistan, and China

KashmirTelegraph.com investigative team uncovers three versions of the Map of India on Google Maps - Indian version, Chinese version, and the Global version. While the Global version, which is accessible worldwide, shows Indian state of J&K, and Arunachal Pradesh, as disputed; the Chinese version, clearly aimed at placating the Chinese, represents Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of China, with Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir shown, very conveniently, as disputed.

Pune, India: Close on the heels of serious discrepancies in the Map of India in the Google's analytics product (used for tracking website traffic), in India, showing parts of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, as belonging to Pakistan and China, Google has done it yet again.

Google has for a second time, questioned - by way of visible representation - territorial integrity, in a manner, which is prejudicial to the interests of the safety and security of India.

To further its business interests, we believe Google has taken a position of convenience on the issue of maps - this is notwithstanding the fact that India is a huge market for your products," Romeet K Watt, Chief Editor, Kashmir Telegraph, representing Kashmir Bachao Andolan said in a communiqué to the Google Leadership Team today.

Watt wrote to Kent Walker, Vice President and General Counsel, Google Inc, to respect and recognize the Political, Outline, and Physical maps of the Republic of India; terming as pure convenience, strategy of the firm to localize Google Maps to local domains to placate the countries like Pakistan and China.

"It is not acceptable from India stand point, especially with regard to Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). In the garb of complete information on the prevailing geopolitical situation, it is highly regrettable; Google's Global version of Google Maps is showing J&K and Arunachal Pradesh as disputed," Watt said in a statement to KashmirTelegraph.com.

Earlier KashmirTelegraph.com investigative team uncovered three versions of the Map of India on Google Maps - Indian version, Chinese version, and the Global version. The Chinese version of Google Maps shows Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as inside China's borders and parts of J&K as belonging to Pakistan and China. In contrast, the Indian version of Google Maps depicts both Arunachal Pradesh and J&K, as part of India. Whereas, Global version of Google Maps, shows both Arunachal Pradesh and J&K as disputed territories, within broken lines on the map.

Arunachal Pradesh, which attained its statehood on 20th February 1987, is the state next to Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, with whom India shares an excellent neighborly relation. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country, however, from time to time; China has claimed it to be a part of its territory claiming it to be southern Tibet. China disputes the border, which is the McMahon Line, agreed to by Great Britain and then-independent Tibet in a 1914 treaty.

Parts of Indian state of J&K, it may be recalled, are illegally occupied by Pakistan and China. While China is occupying the northeastern portion (Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract), Pakistan continues to occupy Northern areas, and parts of Kashmir (Pakistan occupied Kashmir), with latter being used as a base to wage a pro-xy war against India. PoK has hundreds of militant training camps, which are used as launch pads by militants to illegally intrude into India and foment trouble.

Watt said that the strategy adopted by Google Inc is dangerous and cannot be accepted. "Google is taking a position on sensitive and political matters, favoring Pakistan and China, which is not acceptable and we expected better sensitivity from them," he further added.

Analysts have gone to the extent of terming distortion and misrepresentation of the Map of India as despicable, sinister plans by vested interest to put India on the back foot in-relation to China and Pakistan.

China has been ofl late indirectly supporting the seperatist cause, aided and abetted by Pakistan, in Kashmir by attempting to issue staped visa's to Indians of Kashmiri origin. India has already declared as “invalid” the standalone paper visas given by the Chinese embassy and consulates for Indians from Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, and issued a travel advisory asking those going to China to ensure their visas are pasted on their passports.

In the context of recent statement made by Kashmiri separatist leaders like Mirwaiz Omar Farooq that China definitely has a role in the Kashmir dispute and had a direct link to the dispute, a senior political analyst told KashmirTelegraph.com that Google should be taken to court and prosecuted under relevant India laws.

The analyst further added: "Unfortunately, the ground reality is different. And Google's solution is not a solution. It's a joke."

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Nov 15, 2009

Google Inc Questions Territorial Integrity of India; Misrepresents, Distorts Map of India

Kashmir Bachao Andolan demands case against Google under Section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1961

Pune, India (Nov 15, 2009): Kent Walker, Vice President and General Counsel, Google Inc, has admitted, in a recent statement to KashmirTelegraph.com that in its Google Analytics Tool offered by the company, in India, Map of India is, indeed, distorted, misrepresented.

"We have reviewed this matter internally and can confirm that this map image (showing parts of Indian state of J&K, as part of Pakistan and China) inadvertently appeared on the (Google) analytics tool offered on the Indian domain," Kent Walker was quoted as saying, in a statement to KashmirTelegraph.com. However, despite glaring errors in the Map of India, clearly questioning the territorial integrity of India, Google Inc stopped short of make an apology or setting a timeframe for correction.

Reasoning that the map appearing on these tools (Google Analytics) is not drawn to scale, Kent Walker said there may be some discrepancies in representing some contours, leaving a question mark on the accuracy of the Map of India, even after Goggle does eventually make the necessary, required corrections.

While Google confirmed that the distortions in the Map of India would be addressed, the company refused to put a firm timeline for the agreed corrections. "It can take some time for the change to actually be reflected on the tool as available on the Indian domain," said Kent Walker.

As follow-up, repeated attempts by KashmirTelegraph.com to seek and confirm timelines with Gitanjli Duggal, Google's lead lawyer in India proved to be unsuccessful.

ML Infomap, an independent entity, and India partner of Google Inc, for their product, Google Maps, categorically supported the position of Kashmir Bachao Andolan on distortion of the Map of India in the Google Analytics Tool. Manosi Lahiri, representative of ML Infomap, told KashmirTelegraph.com that maps - referring to images of Map of India from the Google Analytics Tool - clearly do not show boundaries that are officially recognized by the Government of India.

"This is to state that the boundaries shown on the attached maps (referring to images of Map of India from the Google Analytics Tool) are not provided by ML Infomap. ML Infomap is an Indian company and does not question the correctness of the boundaries recognized by Survey of India. I reiterate ML Infomap has not supplied these boundary maps of India," Manosi Lahiri was quoted as saying in a written communication to KashmirTelegraph.com.

This latest controversy involving Google's distortion and misrepresentation of the Map of India (in the Google Analytics Tool) was taken up with Google Leadership Team by Kashmir Bachao Andolan, public policy think tank on Jammu and Kashmir, and publishers of KashmirTelegraph.com

"Our expectation is that Google products must comply in letter and spirit with the guidelines laid down by the Government of India. Conformance to Political, Outline, and Physical maps of the Republic of India is not an option but a requirement. It is an extremely sensitive matter in the sub-continent and must be addressed accordingly," Romeet K Watt, Chief Editor, Kashmir Telegraph, representing Kashmir Bachao Andolan said in a communiqué to the Google Leadership Team.

Unhappy with the delays in correcting the distortion and misrepresentation of the Map of India, Romeet K Watt, in a separate note to Gitanjli Duggal, Google's lead lawyer in India, asked for time-bound corrective action. "We'd like to have a time-frame put, and agreed, within which Google Inc and Google India would correct the unacceptable aberration(s) in the India map. End date is a must," Romeet K Watt was quoted as saying in his communiqué to Google legal team in India.

"The matter has been brought to the notice of Survey of India and all relevant ministries, for necessary action, however, it is regrettable that we've till now not seen any action against Google Inc or / and its subsidiary, Google India. The “authenticity” of external boundaries vis-à-vis Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and the coastal boundaries is an important matter." Watt told KashmirTelegraph.com.

It is pertinent to point out that publication of maps depicting inaccurate external boundaries and coast-lines of India tantamount to questioning the territorial integrity of India and is a cognizable offence under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1961. Section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1961 (Act No.23 of 1961) clearly states that whoever by words either spoken or written, or by signs, or visible representation or otherwise, questions the territorial integrity or frontiers of India in a manner which is, or is likely to be prejudicial to the interests of the safety or security of India, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Watt further added that Google Inc has misrepresented and distorted the Map of India, thus clearly questioning the territorial integrity of India. "It is a serious matter - we insist Google immediately withdraw its Google Analytics product from India, till it fully conforms to the topographical and geographical maps published by Survey of India. Depictions in keeping with our stated positions are fundamental for our territorial integrity," Watt further said.

"By showing an incorrect Map of India, Google Inc and Google India have committed a crime, under Section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1961 (Act No.23 of 1961, and, as such, we call upon the Government of India to take strong action against Google by registering a case and prosecuting Google Inc and Google India, at the earliest," Watt demanded.

In the past also, Google Inc has also been involved in a similar controversy pertaining to the distortion and misrepresentation of the Map of India, in their other popular product, Google Maps (maps.google.co.in). Kent Walker had earlier claimed in a communiqué to KashmirTelegraph.com that Google Inc has taken steps to ensure that their Geo Products (like Google Maps), that are available on the local Indian domain comply with local laws.

Sunday, November 15, 2009