The looming Google Earth lens: How India's strategic assets lie exposed, vulnerable to harm

India Today

6 days ago

In today's digital age, the lines between convenience and vulnerability are increasingly blurred. Google Earth, a revolutionary mapping tool, has raised concerns about the security of India's military installations and critical infrastructure. The platform's high-resolution satellite imagery has made it possible for anyone with an internet connection to access detailed views of sensitive areas, including military bases, border posts and nuclear plants.Former president Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was one of the first to sound the alarm about the potential dangers of Google Earth. He expressed concern over the detailed imagery of Indian military installations and nuclear plants, highlighting the risks of terrorism and security breaches.advertisementThe issue is not just about military threats from neighbouring countries but also about the potential of terrorist groups using this information for their nefarious designs. A military intelligence officer notes that while the armed forces may have their own means of accessing satellite images, terrorist groups may simply rely on Google Earth to survey army camps or paramilitary checkpoints.Experts argue that India's sensitive sites should be blurred or pixelated on Google Earth, just like it is done for the US, Russia and China. The debate surrounding Google Earth also highlights the need for India to develop its own mapping systems and reduce dependence on public satellite imagery. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, India's ability to safeguard its national security will depend on its capability to adapt to emerging threats and technologies.
The threat is clear and present. Type 'India-Pakistan Line of Control' into Google Earth and, in front of you, will appear hundreds of kilometres of the LOC. That too, in three dimensions, with zooming in possible up to 50 metres, allowing one to see Indian Army posts in extraordinary detail. At 50 metres of zoom-in, the images are so clear you can identify trucks stationed at posts, trenches, artillery positions and watchtowers with ease.It's not that this satellite 3D imagery shows you one static post. Google Earth updates these images every year, sometimes even monthly. There's an option called 'Historical Imagery' that offers visuals of any location, from 1985 through March 2025.With these continuous updates, it becomes effortless to analyse what construction has occurred on-site year by year, even month by month. Border Security Force (BSF) posts and watchtowers along the LOC are visible through these continually updated images—and can be easily accessed.The National Remote Sensing Agency and the Advanced Data Processing Research Institute in Hyderabad are responsible for processing of satellite imagery for civil and military use. Both centres are located near the city's National Police Academy, where Dr Kalam, in an address in 2005, had expressed concern over vivid imagery of Indian military installations and nuclear plants on Google Earth.advertisementWhom do India's clearly visible military installations on Google Earth threaten? A military intelligence officer explains: 'If we perceive Google Earth's unrestricted satellite imagery as a military threat, we are missing the context. China and Pakistan's armed forces have their means of accessing satellite images and don't need Google Earth. But does a small independent terrorist group in Kashmir or Maoists in places such as Gadchiroli or Sukma have their own satellites? If they need to survey an army camp or CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) checkpoint, Google Earth gives them ample opportunity. Who can say with certainty that Google Earth wasn't used in the recent Pahalgam terror attack? Or that Maoists aren't using it against our security forces?'Take the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, for example. Like other sensitive Indian sites, it can be viewed from 50 metres in high definition on Google Earth. The imagery is so detailed and regularly updated that an ordinary person could deduce from water flow patterns when each reactor is operational. In comparison, France's Cattenom nuclear power plant is blurred entirely on Google Earth.Similarly, the strategic Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, formerly Wheeler Island, is a prime missile-testing site of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It has been off-limits to civilians since identified for defence use. Yet Google Earth allows close-up views, showing every construction detail, including testing pads. By contrast, Russia's secret military island, Jeannette Island, and Australia's Sand Island are entirely blacked out on Google Earth.advertisement'Our greater concern is not military tensions with Pakistan or China but terrorism,' says an Indian security officer, who did not wish to be named. 'High-resolution maps in the public domain significantly increase security risks. Previously, Pakistani counter-intelligence relied on sleeper cells within India for reconnaissance. These individuals, well-integrated with civilians and sometimes even security personnel, weren't on any watchlist. But today, terrorists don't need that—Google Earth suffices.'Former BSF additional director general S.K. Sood raises a pertinent question. 'How much control does India have over foreign satellite imagery companies really? Sensitive Indian sites shouldn't be in the public domain, but how do we ensure satellite providers comply? If necessary, such apps should be banned entirely,' Sood tells INDIA TODAY.A military intelligence officer adds: 'After the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, Google's high-res images had alarmed security agencies. Talks with Google ensued, urging them to blur sensitive sites, just like other nations do. If unresolved, India must compel Google India to comply through guidelines.'advertisementAmit Singh, associate professor at the Special Centre for National Security Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, concurs. 'For years, Google has provided clear images of Indian defence sites. Modern warfare is about air strikes and missiles, and Google exposes our vulnerabilities. The government must pressure Google to pixelate or blur these images immediately. If not, threaten a ban. Google won't want to lose India's market.''Countries such as US, Russia, China and Japan mask sensitive sites. Why not India? We should develop our own mapping systems, like China and Russia have, to end reliance on Google,' he adds.Following Operation Sindoor and the India-Pakistan military conflict, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued a directive on May 20 that commercial flights must keep windows closed during take-off and landing at the four defence-linked airports—Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar and Jaisalmer. Photos and videos were also banned during these phases to prevent leak of sensitive information. Yet, data on these airports, possibly including fighter stations, air defence systems and drone systems, is already in the public domain and updated periodically.advertisementUnder the Department of Science And Technology's Survey of India, defence mapping is separate from civilian use. Strategic locations require defence ministry clearance. However, no guidelines addressed third-party providers like Google. The 2016 Pathankot attack revived the 'Geospatial Information Regulation Bill 2016,' but it wasn't passed. In 2021, a list of 51 categories prohibited naming or geo-tagging of locations like air force bases, naval bases, army bases, nuclear plants and LOC zones that could be zoomed in beyond 25 metres. Yet the same year, Google Maps allowed 20-metre zoom.Globally, Google's policy states sensitive sites won't be public. This applies in Russia, US, China, Japan and France, but seemingly not in India.INDIA TODAY sent queries to the Ministry of Defence and Google—no response has been received yet.The Survey of India officially stated to INDIA TODAY that controlling open platform satellite imagery was impractical and that blurring areas could draw attention to sensitive sites. Sharing coordinates with foreign providers for masking was a security risk too.Open source intelligence (OSINT) expert Sunny Nehra, who works with the DRDO and other agencies, notes: 'Google Earth remains a primary tool for countless OSINT researchers, later supplemented by paid services like Sentinel. For strategic research against India, neighbours start with Google Earth. Why is India only making requests to Google after so long? Why not take action?'Highlighting threats from free satellite imagery, Nehra adds: 'How will someone know precise coordinates for India's largest ammunition depot? Answer: Google Earth. Search Pulgaon CAD (central ammunition depot) and sensitive ammo depots appear. Such risks require immediate action.'Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends