Russian Special Services: ´Google Earth´ Helps Terrorists

International terrorists will become regular users of Google’s new project Google Earth, a source in the Russian Special Services was quoted as saying.

Earth.Google.Com was launched this summer and distributes free photos made from space that have a capacity to view objects as small as 2 meters.

“On these pictures terrorists will see all that they need to carry out an attack in any part of the world,” the source said.

Russian military expert, Lt.-Gen. Leonid Sazhin, said that “from now on international terrorists do not have to inspect the site of a would-be terrorist attack. An international company is doing the work for them”.

Google Earth is a standalone Windows application that’s essentially an enhanced and upgraded version of the Google Keyhole product that was produced after Google purchased Keyhole in October 2004.

The application combines local search capabilities with satellite imaging and maps from around the globe. Currently it includes detailed imagery of the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as many major cities in other countries. The medium to high resolution terrain provides a detailed view of the entire world.

Google Earth provides the option of displaying local lodging, road markers, terrain, local dining options, geographical borders and 3D buildings over the satellite image. Its “Fly To” feature accepts an address, place name, cross street or simple Latitude/Longitude coordinates and zooms quickly in to the specified location.

A free version is available on the Google website, while advanced users can purchase its optional upgrade Google Earth Plus with GPS device support.