There are other security officials who say the information can actually be helpful. Google officials stated they try to update their imagery at least once every 18 months. Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, which operates the only nuclear reactor down under, said Google posed no risk because the images were old and did not expose any critical infrastructure. Some governmental agencies see no danger. Miserendino thinks that electric and utility associations should request that images of their facilities be obscured or eliminated. 'It provides a detailed layout of the physical features of plants, generators and substations, access roads and surrounding areas that could be used for cover, concealment, surveillance, even thievery,' he said. Department of Energy, agrees that Google Earth and similar products present a potential risk. George Miserendino, President and owner of Triton Security Solutions and a former security executive with the U.S. Satellite imagery programs also have private security firms concerned. South Korea, which is technically still at war with its neighbor to the north, is also concerned about images of government buildings, military bases and the defense security command. He suggested that Google be allowed to show only images of tourist attractions. Weerasak Manee-in, a Thai Armed Forces spokesman, said his nation wanted restrictions on the detailed images, especially state buildings. More recently, Thailand demanded action from Washington. They called on the Dutch government to take appropriate action against Google.

The criticism started in August when Frans Weekers and Aleid Wolfson, members of the Dutch Parliament, questioned whether free imagery of the world might be a handy tool for terrorists, providing aerial photographs of potential targets. The satellites can focus in on government buildings, energy facilities, utilities, even homes. The launch of Google Earth in June made it possible for anyone with Internet access to view just about any part of the surface of the earth, including strategic military locations.

Satellite images of Mother Earth have come to the people, and several governments are not happy about it.

Google earth satellite