Survey of India files police complaint against Google over security concerns

NEW DELHI: A government agency has approached Delhi Police with a complaint against search-engine Google, raising security concerns after the Internet major conducted 'Mapathon' - a contest that asked users to add information about their local areas for its online map services.

Survey of India filed the complaint with Delhi Police on March 25, a senior police official said here today.

"We have received a complaint. As of now, no case has been registered. We will inquire into it and will forward it to the cyber wing of Economic Offences Wing," he said.

In its complaint, Survey of India said the contest was likely to jeopardise national security interest and violates the National Map Policy.

When approached for a reaction, Google spokesperson said relevant Indian authorities, including the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Surveyor General of India, have been briefed on ' Map Maker', which complies with all applicable laws.

'Map Maker' was launched in India in 2008 with the goal of making more information accessible to all, by allowing people to add information about local places to Google Maps.

'Mapathon', which ran from February 12 to March 25, was a contest encouraging Indians to use 'Map Maker'.

"We take security and national regulations very seriously and we are open to discussing specific concerns with public authorities and officials," the spokesperson said.