Google 3D Maps Service Exposes Taiwanese Patriot Missile Defense Base

Google has pulled down three-dimensional satellite images of Taiwan from its map service, ‘Google Maps’ after it exposed the location and structures of Taiwan’s classified Patriot missile defense base in Xindian district, New Tapei .

The company issued a statement last Saturday stating that it has already removed the 3D imaging service of four cities in Taiwan following problems brought about by a recent update to Google Maps.

A taskforce has been set up to work with Google and seek adjustments to safeguard national security and to protect the locations from being targeted by Beijing in the event of cross-strait conflict, Taiwanese Defense Minister Yen Teh-fa was quoted as saying by Daily Star Sunday.

Yen said: “Actually, the site of defence infrastructure at times of peace will not be the same as those at times of war.”

The new 3D maps service was so detailed that it exposed the location and structures of Taiwan’s classified Patriot missile defense base in Xindian district, New Tapei-down to the types of launchers and models of the missiles, the news daily reported.

On Friday, Yen De-fa confirmed that the locations of Taiwan's important military deployments have been removed from the web mapping service's platform, FocusTaiwan reported Saturday.

Google's new 3-D map service of Taiwan will be taken down indefinitely, the company said, and there are currently no plans to bring the feature back.