BANGALORE:  Google Mapathon 2013, many of you might be acquainted with the Google Mapthon and those who still don’t know what Google Mapathon is? It is a convenient facility provided by Google map maker to edit the map and add important geographic information in such a way that a Mapathon user could get road by road direction click by click.

The Internet giant was alleged for not taking permission from Survey of India, which is country’s official mapping agency, for conducting a mapping competition among the Indian citizens in February-March 2013. The citizens were asked to map their neighborhoods, especially details related to hospitals and restaurants.

The controversy was further hiked when Google announced the winner of the competition Vishal Saini, who mapped the city of Pathankot that is located at the close border of J&K. Pakistan, has reportedly claimed Pathankot to be Ajad Jammu and Kashmir. As 3 wars have been fought here, there is a possibility of military installation.

The situation alarmed the Survey of India (SOI), India’s national survey and mapping organization under the Department of Science and Technology, inquired Google to share its details when it was discovered that there were several coordinates having details of sensitive defense installations which are out of the public domain.

Recently CBI registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Internet giant Google over Mapathon 2013 that the company has allegedly violated laws by mapping sensitive areas and defense installations that are prohibited by law.

In response to the allegations, Google had confirmed that the contest was in line with all the country’s laws.

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