South Korea has as soon as once more postponed a choice on whether or not to approve Google’s request to switch the high-precision map knowledge it has on the nation’s geography to its worldwide servers.
In February, Google had requested approval from the Korean Nationwide Geographic Data Institute to deploy a 1:5,000 scale map on its app within the nation and likewise switch that knowledge to its servers overseas, a spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed to TechCrunch.
The federal government was imagined to finalize its determination inside 60 days, by mid-Might, however the deadline has now been moved to August 11 as they’re nonetheless in discussions, the spokesperson mentioned.
That is Google’s third request to South Korea on this matter, following earlier requests in 2011 and 2016. The tech large at the moment makes use of a 1:25,000 scale map within the nation that features factors of curiosity and satellite tv for pc pictures, in accordance with media stories. A 1:5,000 scale high-precision map would provide a extra detailed view that would come with even the narrowest streets.
When South Korean officers rejected Google’s request in 2016, they mentioned an approval would solely be granted if the U.S. tech agency units up a knowledge heart in South Korea. The nation additionally requested Google to blur delicate places, like nationwide safety amenities, on its maps for safety functions.
Google has not but mentioned if it might arrange a knowledge heart in South Korea. The corporate operates an array of information facilities around the globe, together with in Asian nations reminiscent of Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.
Knowledge restrictions by the federal government have impacted the efficiency of Google Maps and Apple Maps in South Korea. Foreigners and vacationers typically wrestle to navigate with Google Maps as a result of restricted data and languages supported, typically resorting to utilizing native apps that don’t help many overseas languages.
Native navigation apps reminiscent of Naver Maps, TMaps and Kakao Maps are hottest amongst native customers. These apps provide map knowledge at a scale of 1:5,000, and due to this fact, way more data and element. Naver Maps, launched in 2002, has about 27 million month-to-month energetic customers, whereas Kakao Maps and TMaps have round 11 million and 24 million MAUs, respectively.
Google didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
