Subcommittee Criticizes Google Maps

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

Subcommittee Criticizes Google Maps
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Mar 31, 5:55 AM (ET)

By CAIN BURDEAU

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Google's replacement of post-Hurricane Katrina satellite imagery on its map portal with images of the region before the storm does a "great injustice" to the storm's victims, a congressional subcommittee said.

The House Committee on Science and Technology's subcommittee on investigations and oversight on Friday asked Google Inc. (GOOG) Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt to explain why his company is using the outdated imagery.

The subcommittee cited an Associated Press report on the images.

"Google's use of old imagery appears to be doing the victims of Hurricane Katrina a great injustice by airbrushing history," subcommittee chairman Brad Miller, D-N.C., wrote in a letter to Schmidt.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070331/D8O730LO0.html

[DanWithAngel]

1. accuracy would be a nice touch

who would have thought the users of google maps wanted an up to date set of images?

[bluerum]

2. Current images would be a great asset in damage assessment

and reconstruction efforts.

They deserve the criticism. In fact, there may be some legal exposure for them.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

3. Why would there be legal exposure? n/t

[bluerum]

5. Suppressing information. Manipulating information. Misrepresentation.

If any of it can be connected to material or monetary losses, they are liable.

At the very least, a huge loss of public trust and confidence in their services. Much as the shrub administration has lost confidence by lying to us on a daily basis, and running the country into the ground.

[texpatriot2004]

4. Shame on Google for this. nm

[customerserviceguy]

8. Google Earth

is worth every penny I pay for it.

[uppityperson]

6. compare google maps and mapquest maps. Try this address...

scan along the LA/MS coast.
2000 Jourdan Ave, New Orleans, LA
I don't know whose place it is, but try that address with close zooming in using satellite or aerial to get the photo

[AndyTiedye]

7. Since Google Evidently HAS Both Sets of Images, Offer "Before" and "After"

"After" should obviously be the default, but it would be instructive (and quite striking)
to allow one to click back to the pre-Katrina images to see how much was lost.

[uppityperson]

9. Here is a comparison.

google


mapquest

[rocktivity]

10. What's the big deal? They're MAPS!

Where in the Constitution does it say that maps MUST be as accurate as possible, you pinko commies?

:eyes:

[Robb]

11. LOL

Yeah! And plus, my house isn't on there anymore! :D