6 years after being banned, Google Street View is back in India – Times of India

Google is bringing back its Street View feature in India. The c0mpany launched the Street View feature in India in 2011, but it was banned in 2016 due to security concerns. Google had reportedly given another proposal for the Street View service in 2018, but the same too was rejected. This time Google’s Street View feature launch in India rides on partnership with local authorities and organisations. Google has partnered with mapping solutions company Genesys International and IT major Tech Mahindra for the Street View feature. Google says that this is the first time in the world that Street View is being brought to life completely by local partners.
What is Google Street View
Google Street View collects high definition images to give users 360 degree views of streets, tourist spots, hills and rivers. The feature explores places worldwide through 360-degree panoramic and street-level 3D imagery. It was launched in 2007 in several cities in the US.
Cities Google Street View will be available in
Starting today, Street View will be available in ten cities in India, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Nashik, Vadodara, Ahmednagar, and Amritsar. Google, Genesys International, and Tech Mahindra plan to expand this to more than 50 cities by the end of 2022.
How can users access Google Street View
To launch Street View, users need to simply open Google Maps, zoom into a road in any of these target cities, and tap the area they want to view. It will help them get to know the local cafes, and cultural hotspots, or check out the local neighbourhood. Street View is aimed to help people navigate and explore new corners of the country and the world in a more visual way.
Why was Google Street View banned in India
Google Street View was banned in India due to security concerns. The feature hit a roadblock in India after red flags were raised by the country’s home ministry as well as the defence ministry. The defence ministry reportedly told a national daily that it was not possible to monitor the service once it was launched and it would be detrimental to national security. Some reports also claimed that terrorists used Google Street View service while planning 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Google on Street View rollout in India
Speaking of the announcements, Miriam Karthika Daniel, VP, Google Maps Experiences, said “Over the past 14 years we have innovated to bring helpful, local, and high-quality experiences to people across the nation. We believe the launch of Street View in India will be instrumental in delivering a more helpful user experience, from virtually visiting locations to getting a better sense of local businesses and establishments. This launch has been made possible only through collaborations with our local partners Tech Mahindra and Genesys International.