South Korea Partially Lifts Ban on Google Maps Amid Security Concerns

Alanbatnews -

South Korea has partially lifted its long-standing ban on Google Maps, allowing the tech giant to offer limited functionality within the country, but strict security measures remain in place.

The decision comes after years of restrictions that hampered the full operation of Google Maps in South Korea, despite close ties between the two countries. The South Korean government had previously refused to allow Google to export high-resolution map data due to ongoing security concerns related to its continued state of war with North Korea.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of South Korea stated that the approval is contingent upon Google adhering to stringent security protocols, with the possibility of revocation at any time.

The new regulations require Google to blur sensitive locations and military installations within the country to protect them, given the ongoing conflict with North Korea. Map data processing will initially occur locally at data centers managed by Google's partners. This data will then require government approval before being exported to Google's external data centers, with only data related to direct driving directions being authorized for export.

According to a report, the U.S. administration had been pressuring South Korea to ease the restrictions. Statements from officials alluded to potential trade barriers against South Korean companies.

The absence of fully functional Google Maps had previously allowed local South Korean companies like Naver and Kakao to thrive by providing services that Western applications could not fully deliver. Shares in Naver and Kakao fell 2.3% and 1.5% respectively following the announcement, according to reports.

One academic expressed concerns that Google could leverage the decision to undercut local companies by lowering usage fees to capture the market, potentially leading to a monopoly where Google could then raise prices at will.

The government hopes the move will boost tourism and the geospatial information industry while supporting geographic artificial intelligence technologies. The decision also increases the accuracy of South Korean map scales, improving from 1:25,000 to 1:5,000, which also applies to Apple Maps.

Choi Jin-mo, a geography professor at Kyung-Hee University, voiced concerns about the potential impact of the decision. "Government and private geographic information systems may end up relying on Google and Apple services, and this is the biggest concern."