Seoul Considers Google & Apple Map Requests

South Korea Considers Google and Apple Map Data Export

A final determination is approaching in South Korea regarding the authorization of Google and Apple to transmit high-resolution geographic map data to servers located outside of the nation. These detailed maps, utilizing a 1:5,000 scale, would depict streets, buildings, and alleyways with significantly increased clarity compared to current offerings on these platforms. Nevertheless, several regulatory and security challenges remain unresolved.

Parliamentary Scrutiny and Security Concerns

This week, South Korea’s National Assembly Defense Committee conducted a parliamentary audit of Google Korea. Legislators questioned the company’s requests for access to local map data, expressing anxieties concerning national security and digital sovereignty. This audit followed a postponement of a decision on Google’s data export request in August, which itself came after an initial delay in May.

One official cautioned that Google’s satellite maps could potentially compromise national security by revealing sensitive military installations when combined with commercial imagery and publicly available data. The official is advocating for the government to establish the authority to oversee and regulate the exportation of high-resolution geographic information. Considering the ongoing state of war between South Korea and North Korea, the government is exercising caution regarding the exposure of such locations.

Timeline for a Decision

According to a South Korean government official who spoke with TechCrunch, a final decision regarding Google Maps is anticipated around November 11th, or potentially sooner. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced last month that it would extend the review period by an additional 60 days.

Google's Request and Current Capabilities

In February, Google submitted, for the third time in South Korea, a request to the Korean National Geographic Information Institute for permission to utilize a 1:5,000 scale map – offering substantially greater detail – within its application and to transfer the map data to servers outside of South Korea. A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company currently provides map services in South Korea using 1:5,000 scale map data.

However, the spokesperson added that without the ability to export this data, the company is unable to deliver crucial features, such as the turn-by-turn navigation that users anticipate from contemporary mapping applications.

Benefits of Data Export

“Enabling the export of this data will allow us to provide a more comprehensive, precise, and secure experience for daily commutes, tourism, and a variety of location-based services,” the Google spokesperson explained to TechCrunch.

Competition from Local Apps

Among local users, navigation applications like Naver Map, T Map, and Kakao Map are the most widely used. These apps offer map data at a 1:5,000 scale, providing significantly more information and detail, thereby granting them a considerable competitive advantage.

Past Rejections and Conditions

South Korean authorities previously denied Google’s requests for map data access in both 2011 and 2016. Officials indicated that approval would be contingent upon the company establishing a local data center and obscuring sensitive locations, including national security sites, citing security concerns. Google declined to fulfill these requirements.

Recent Concessions by Google

Following the rejection in August, Google reportedly agreed to obscure the locations of the country’s security sites on both Google Maps and Google Earth. The company is currently blurring sensitive installations to address government concerns regarding satellite imagery and is also exploring the possibility of purchasing government-approved satellite data from local providers, including T Map.

“We have publicly expressed our willingness to implement measures such as blurring sensitive installations in satellite imagery. Our objective is consistently to identify solutions that balance national security considerations with our commitment to providing a robust and valuable service to users in Korea,” the Google spokesperson stated.

Legal Framework

South Korea’s Geospatial Information Management Act (Article 16) stipulates that government survey data, including maps and satellite images, cannot be transmitted abroad without the approval of the entire Cabinet. This law, enacted in 2014, continues to underpin the nation’s stringent control over geospatial data.

Global Context of Map Data Security

Map data has emerged as a critical national security concern in conflict zones globally. In 2023, the Israeli army requested that Google Maps disable real-time traffic data in Israel and Gaza, mirroring a similar action taken in Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. Furthermore, in 2009, European regulators urged Google to remove original Street View images due to privacy concerns.

Variations in Map Scale

“The scale of the map service provided by Google can fluctuate even within a single country, depending on the characteristics of the region. For instance, a higher-scale map service may be offered for urban areas, while a lower-scale map service may be provided for other regions,” the spokesperson explained. “However, in major countries such as the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and Israel, map services generally at a scale of 1:5,000 or higher are provided in urban areas.”

Apple Mirrors Google's Pursuit of South Korean Map Data

The move isn't exclusive to Google. Apple submitted a request in June to obtain high-resolution map data from South Korea, specifically at a 1:5,000 scale. This followed a previous request made in 2023 that was ultimately denied.

A key difference lies in server location. Google maintains its map servers outside of Korean territory, whereas Apple operates servers within the country. This distinction is a significant factor in the government’s evaluation of these requests.

South Korea delayed a final decision regarding Apple’s request to export high-precision digital map data last month. The review process has been extended until December.

Sources indicate Apple may demonstrate greater willingness to comply with government-mandated limitations. This could involve blurring, masking, or reducing the resolution of data pertaining to sensitive locations. Furthermore, the company reportedly intends to utilize SK Telecom’s T Map as its foundational base map data.

Apple has not yet provided a response to inquiries from TechCrunch.

Both Google and Apple are enhancing their mapping services with detailed features like building outlines, narrow passages, and precise street-level information. This upgrade aims to improve navigation and potentially facilitate advanced technologies such as autonomous vehicles and drone delivery systems. For South Korea, allowing the export of high-resolution map data could stimulate tourism, support local commerce, and foster innovation in smart cities, while also providing the government with tools to maintain security. However, some critics suggest the primary beneficiaries may be large U.S. technology companies, rather than local users.

Google Maps currently provides coverage for a wider global area, encompassing 250 countries and territories. Apple Maps, in contrast, is available in just over 200 regions, according to recent reports.

Correction Notice

Updated: A previous iteration of this report contained an inaccuracy regarding the enactment date of South Korea’s Geospatial Information Management Act. The article has been revised to accurately reflect that the current law, established on June 3, 2014, defines its framework and regulations, including restrictions on geospatial data export. (Oct 16, 9:24PM PT: The article has been updated to include statements from Google.)