Question : Google Maps

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology

(a) whether Google Maps presents different images of Maps of India (including the country’s borders) in foreign countries while changing it according to the place from where the same is being searched and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) the details of action taken by the Government so far in this regard;
(c) whether while searching from Pakistan, the map of Jammu and Kashmir is shown as disputed whereas while searching from India, the same is shown as a part of Indian territory and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(d) whether Google Maps changes the Kashmir Border on the basis of the country from where the same is being searched and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
(e) whether mobile application of Google Maps owns eighty per cent of the market share and it has more than One billion users, which influence the beliefs of people across the world and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(f) the steps taken by the Government to check the same??

(a) to (d): Google Maps provides online maps images based on techno- commercial considerations and the services are provided based on term and conditions agreed by its users. As per Google policy, in countries where Google has local versions of Google Map (such as India), it complies with local law when displaying names and borders. Any misrepresentation or infringement of any law of the country can be dealt by the law enforcement agencies.

Further, section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 empowers Government to block any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.

(e) and (f) : The figures of market share and users of Google Maps are not maintained by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

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