Google is talking with military agencies after learning that terrorists attacking British bases in Basra, Iraq, appear to have been using aerial footage from Google Earth. It appears that among documents seized in raids on insurgents" homes, were printouts from Google Earth showing the location of buildings, tents, latrines and lightly armored vehicles. Precise longitude and latitude coordinates were also going to be used in the attacks.
"This is evidence, as far as we are concerned, for planning terrorist attacks. We believe they use Google Earth to identify the most vulnerable areas, such as tents," said an intelligence officer with the Royal Green Jackets battle group.
A few Royal Green Jackets soldiers have said they would consider suing Google if they were injured in an attack possible because of Google Earth.
Google"s response to the problem: "Of course we are always ready to listen to governments" requests. We have opened channels with the military in Iraq, but we are not prepared to discuss what we have discussed with them. But we do listen and we are sensitive to requests."