Apple's request to conduct 3D mapping of Oslo denied by Norwegian government
A request by Apple to photograph Oslo from the air was rebuffed by the Norwegian government, prompting the U.S. embassy to offer support for the initiative meant to broaden Flyover coverage in the Maps app.
Map of Oslo as rendered in iOS Maps.
Apple recently applied for a license to photograph Norway's capital city, but the country's National Security Authority rejected the request because it would not have control over the possibly sensitive data, reports Aftenposten.
Acting director of the NSA ?yvind Mandt told the publication on Monday that Apple's application was denied due to the high precision of the Flyover feature, which maps photographic images over 3D renderings. Such photos can inadvertently reveal secure government installations and classified "sensitive areas."
The issue has reportedly drawn the attention of the U.S. embassy, which contacted Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang for assistance. Stang subsequently asked Defense Minister Anne-Grete Str?m-Erichsen to reconsider Apple's application, saying the company has already received permits to conduct identical operations in "all Western capitals."
Apple's in-house mapping service usually handles matters of government security by replacing renderings of sensitive areas with low-resolution assets. Such is the case with the White House and other secure U.S. facilities.
Map of Oslo as rendered in iOS Maps.
Apple recently applied for a license to photograph Norway's capital city, but the country's National Security Authority rejected the request because it would not have control over the possibly sensitive data, reports Aftenposten.
Acting director of the NSA ?yvind Mandt told the publication on Monday that Apple's application was denied due to the high precision of the Flyover feature, which maps photographic images over 3D renderings. Such photos can inadvertently reveal secure government installations and classified "sensitive areas."
The issue has reportedly drawn the attention of the U.S. embassy, which contacted Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang for assistance. Stang subsequently asked Defense Minister Anne-Grete Str?m-Erichsen to reconsider Apple's application, saying the company has already received permits to conduct identical operations in "all Western capitals."
Apple's in-house mapping service usually handles matters of government security by replacing renderings of sensitive areas with low-resolution assets. Such is the case with the White House and other secure U.S. facilities.
Comments
Their loss.
BTW, they did they also deny Google the ability to drive their streets photographing everything in site for Street View?
Well we certainly wouldn't want the NSA feeling like someone was invading their privacy.
No, street view is supported, but google doesn't have to get approval for the flyover. They just drive down public streets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQB
Their loss.
BTW, they did they also deny Google the ability to drive their streets photographing everything in site for Street View?
Nope. Check for yourself, Google has Street View for basically the entire city.
Or hire Japanese pornographers, they're pros at pixelating the good stuff.
As for the US asking other countries to stop worrying about secret facilities, THAT is amusing!
Norwegians have sensitive spots too ..
Originally Posted by TeeJay2012
Norwegians have sensitive spots too ..
One mention of ABBA and they collapse like a leaf.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton
Why not allow the Norwegian government to preview and block out sensitive locales? Maps could fall back to satellite resolution images for those sections. It's not like Dick Cheney's home isn't also pixelated in Google Maps.
The trouble is, blocking out sensitive locations would let everyone know where they are
One possible compromise might be to agree on a much lower resolution.
Norway is going the way of iOS 7... FLAT!
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[SIZE=0](Thanks, C!)[/SIZE]
Quote:
Originally Posted by nagromme
Jut put in fake buildings for the secret spots. Bunch of Elby's Big Boys or something.
As for the US asking other countries to stop worrying about secret facilities, THAT is amusing!
Maybe in Norway... NSA is Norwegian Security Agency....
I wish Apple would stop wasting time on Flyover and just fix all the serious problems with Maps (not to mention the problems with iPhoto).
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQB
Their loss.
BTW, they did they also deny Google the ability to drive their streets photographing everything in site for Street View?
They can only do public streets... Gates, walls - already limit what they can see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phone-UI-Guy
No, street view is supported, but google doesn't have to get approval for the flyover. They just drive down public streets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John.B
Nope. Check for yourself, Google has Street View for basically the entire city.
Seriously... Why wouldn't they mention this in the article? This is the main question of the whole issue.