South Korea Nears Decision on Google and Apple’s High-Resolution Map Requests
By Cyprus Business Group News
As global tech giants push for increasingly detailed map data, South Korea finds itself at the crossroads of innovation and national security. Both Google and Apple have renewed their efforts to export high-resolution geospatial data—a move that could transform navigation and digital mapping services in one of Asia’s most technologically advanced nations.
Security Versus Innovation: Seoul’s Dilemma
South Korea’s National Assembly Defense Committee held a parliamentary audit of Google Korea earlier this week, questioning the implications of allowing the company to send detailed map data to servers outside the country. Lawmakers expressed concerns over national security and digital sovereignty, given the precision of maps at a 1:5,000 scale, which reveal streets, alleys, and individual buildings.
One policymaker warned that combining such maps with commercial satellite imagery could expose sensitive military facilities. The caution is rooted in South Korea’s unique security situation—technically still at war with North Korea—making geographic information a matter of national defense.
Delayed Decisions and Government Oversight
The government’s final ruling on Google’s request is expected by November 11, following an extension announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The decision, already postponed twice this year, highlights the balancing act between protecting data and enabling innovation.
Under the Geospatial Information Management Act (Article 16), exporting any government survey data requires full Cabinet approval. Enacted in 2014, the law ensures that all map and satellite data remain tightly controlled within the country’s borders.
Google’s Third Attempt and Compliance Promises
Google first applied for permission to export South Korean map data in 2011 and again in 2016, both times denied. The tech giant’s most recent request in February 2024 marks its third attempt, seeking approval to use detailed 1:5,000 scale maps instead of the current 1:25,000 scale.
After the latest rejection in August, Google agreed to blur or obscure military and security-related locations on Google Maps and Google Earth, addressing earlier concerns. The company is also reportedly exploring purchasing approved satellite data from domestic sources such as T Map.
A South Korean official told TechCrunch that a final decision could come “around November 11 or earlier.” Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Apple Enters the Picture
Apple, too, has joined the race for high-precision mapping. In June 2024, the company submitted a request to export 1:5,000 scale data—following a similar rejection the previous year. Unlike Google, Apple maintains local servers in South Korea, a factor that could weigh in its favor as authorities consider responsiveness to security threats.
The government has postponed its ruling on Apple’s request to December 2024, extending the review process once again. Reports suggest Apple is more open to government-imposed measures such as blurring sensitive sites, reducing resolution, or masking specific areas. The company also plans to integrate SK Telecom’s T Map as a core data source.
Apple declined to comment when contacted by TechCrunch.
Mapping, Technology, and Global Precedents
South Korea is not alone in treating map data as a sensitive asset. During the 2023 Israel-Gaza conflict, the Israeli army asked Google Maps to disable real-time traffic data for security reasons—a measure similar to those used in Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. In Europe, regulators have long urged Google to limit public exposure of imagery that could compromise privacy or safety.
Implications for South Korea’s Tech Ecosystem
Local navigation apps such as Naver Map, T Map, and Kakao Map currently dominate the domestic market, all operating on 1:5,000 scale data. These platforms benefit from far greater precision than Google’s maps, giving them a clear competitive edge.
If approved, exporting high-resolution data could strengthen South Korea’s standing in smart city innovation, tourism, and autonomous technology development, while helping global platforms deliver more accurate navigation tools. Critics, however, warn that such moves might favor U.S. tech companies over local providers.
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