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Israel Defense Forces ask Google and Apple to disable certain live features on their maps

Authorities asked both companies to stop sharing real-time traffic status to avoid revealing possible military operations.

Google/Wikimedia Commons

Google/Wikimedia Commons

Published by
Rosana Rábago Sainz

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asked Google this Monday to disable certain live features on its maps. Specifically, it asked the company to temporarily stop sharing real-time traffic status to avoid publicizing possible military operations taking place in both Israel and Gaza.

Alphabet, Inc., assured that it would comply with the request made by the Israeli military. In statements reported by Bloomberg, a Google spokesperson assured that both Google Maps and the traffic application Waze, which has belonged to the company since 2013, would stop sharing these functions to protect "local communities":

As we have done previously in conflict situations and in response to the evolving situation in the region, we have temporarily disabled the ability to see live traffic conditions and busyness information out of consideration for the safety of local communities.

Israel also asks Apple to disable real-time features

According to Hipertextual, both Google Maps and Waze still allow citizens residing in Israel to get time estimates on their directions. However, they are unable to view information on traffic and road works, therefore prohibiting them from knowing whether there are military operations underway on a given route.

Google is not the only company that received a request from the Israel Defense Forces to disable real-time features on its maps. Apple also received the same request and, as reports Israeli website GeekTime, also decided to accept. Its mapping application, Apple Maps, also temporarily disabled real-time functions in both Israel and Gaza.

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