WASHINGTON – Due to security problems, the Pentagon banned Google teams from making clear and comprehensive street-level video maps of U.S. military bases after the images of a Texas base was put on the Google Maps website.

Google said taking such kind of images is against its policy and this incident was a mistake.

A message which was sent to the officials of all Defense Department bases and installations around the country ordered not to allow the Google teams to take street-level images inside the facilities.

“We have got information that Google Maps was collecting 360 degree street-level images, including detailed imagery, of the military base in Texas,” said Gary Ross, the spokesman for the US Northern Command, in a press meet.

Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, chief of the U.S. Northern Command, said he was concerned that allowing the 360-degree, street-level view could provide clear and comprehensive images and thus potential anti social elements may get sensitive information and it may endanger the base personnel.

It’s a big concern because such 360-degree, street-level view can show “where the guards are standing, clearly displays how the barriers go up and down, and it also gives a clear picture of how to get in and out of buildings, and I think that poses a real security problem to our military set up” said Renuart.

Larry Yu, the Google spokesman said a Google crew mistakenly asked for access to a base.

“It is against our policy to request the military bases for the purpose of capturing imagery in Street View and that the incident was a mistake,” he said. Larry also added that when the Pentagon contacted Google, the imagery was taken off from the site within 24 hours.

“Images include 360 degree street-level views of the protected area to include headquarters, access control points, facilities and community areas and barriers,” said the Defense Department.

“We don’t have any problem with Google Earth,” said Ross about another Google website that displays detailed images of buildings at 360-degree views, panoramic maps and satellite images.

“Though it is a very useful tool, there has to be certain limitations.” said Ross

“Google was very thankful for letting them know that we had a concern,” said Google.

According to the message sent by U.S. Northern Command to all Defense Department bases and military installations around the country, Google representatives requested to access Fort Sam Houston and the permission was granted.

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