Google Earth Used To Plan Mumbai Attacks

It turns out that Google Earth was used by the Mumbai terrorists to plan their attacks. Which probably isn't good news for Google, especially considering that the Indian Government's previous objections to Google's mapping services and programs.

There have been many criticisms against Google Earth and Google Maps. People have been citing privacy concerns, to which Google simply says there is no more privacy in this day and age. And now that we can start to see the dark side of these services, we need to question their validity.

On the other hand, almost all of the information provided by Google is available elsewhere, whether it be road maps or other on-line services. Why is it then Google's issue alone that the information was abused? And what about all the humanitarian and educational uses of Google Earth? Doesn't the positive out weigh the negative in this case?

That's the question we need to ask ourselves. We've moved into this age of complete open expression, where every tidbit of information is available on-line, and most is easily accessible, the rest can be found with some digging. It's true that information is freedom, but can we go to far? Freedom can only be maintained through a system of laws that conversely restricts freedoms, else wise total freedom slips into anarchy.

So where do we draw the line? I think Google Earth is a great service. It's educational benefits alone I think out weigh the sad, sadistic misuses of it. But should some information be restricted? Should everything we post on-line be reviewable by everyone with or without our consent? And how do we hold people accountable for doing things that are clearly evil and bad but not clearly illegal?

These next few years are going to be critical in shaping the answers to these questions. And it's going to be up to us, the people that are involved, whether professionally or casually, in technology to help drive that discussion. I say this because you are probably the guy/gal everyone turns to when they have a question about their computer or when they want to start using Bit Torrent, and you will be the person they turn to help understand these issues