24 Mar
Posted by odo as Integrity, IT Systems, ITGS, Politics and Government, Science Nd Environment
A recent story in the news has been associated with Google Maps. A roofer named Tom Berge scouted for and stole half-inch lead tiles using satellite images on Google Maps. Lead tiles appear darker than others; Berge and his accomplices used this knowledge to make off with an estimated £100,000.
Google Maps has had some controversial stories associated to it like the recent StreetView infringing on Privacy Rights. The technology is unquestionably useful for innocent tasks like mapping itineraries or finding nearby places of interest. But it also enables more cynical tasks like locating and stealing valuable building materials or viewing private roads.
Is Google really evil or are criminal users inflicting that reputation?
Is Google simply irresponsible by providing technology for criminals to perform these tasks?
Source: http://www.t3.com/news/lead-thief-used-google-maps-to-find-victimxs?=38386
2 Responses
drtech
March 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
1Google is evil of course? LOL….but would this not happen with any mapping tools – have you checked out the latest addition called the CrimeMapper – http://surrey.crimemapper.co.uk/map/egham-town or the homicide based maps in the US.
Are maps just information that criminals would find elsewhere anyway?
Did you do an ITGS triangle for this?
odo
March 26th, 2009 at 11:56 am
2I would argue that “shifty roofers” lack the intelligence to use less popular or more scattered resources to perform criminal tasks.
Google seems to popularize and centralize these resources giving someone like Tom Berge the ability to do so, even if he isn’t tech-savvy.
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