I've got to say it always surprised me that GE was allowed to show Military installations, I mean you can view RAF Welford's nuclear storage bunkers and all its logistics.

sedgwick, London, UK

Since the terrorists used computers, I think a demand to ban computers is more on point, as well as illustrative of the flawed reasoning of those calling for a ban of Google Earth. Instead of confronting terrorism at its roots, they pursue the ever shifting means; a loose-loose proposition.

Alvaro Degives-Mas, Reno, NV, USA

Blurring the images of sensitive areas sounds to be decent enough and rest let them compete ...there should be no monopoly of any kind.

ASR, CA, USA

Google Earth should never be banned. This is a ludicruous, knee-jerk reaction.

The fact is the security services in India failed miserably against a group of determined terrorists who were ready to die.

All the needed Google Earth data might have already been downloaded and stored.

Dr Alok Bhattacharyya, Benghazi, Libya

This is coming from a country where a company is providing higher resolution images than Google! Sounds a bit fishy!

jim, Virginia, USA

It's clearly Thatchers fault

Phil Mann, Newcastle upon Tyne,

Oxford Atlas Helps Terrorists! Burn That Book!

Joe, Derby,

Actually, I just looked up the White House, it being a pretty sensitive place, and it is fully viewable by Google Earth. But here is the rub, I can't understand why a map would serve the same function. A map has all the info GE has - plus no trees - and it is portable.

R. Pointer, Saint Louis, United States

Please people just remember terrorists are going to still strike no matter what. Don't sacrifice your liberties for "safety." Many more will be hurt by an erosion of liberties than the few hundred terrorists may steal from us here or there. We must exert a soft influence of peace and prosperity.

brandon , Houston, TX , US

Google Earth helps everybody. So ban it because that includes terrorists?

Chris, Royston, Herts

If we ban everything terrorists could use we hurt our society more than we hurt the terrorists, and that is their goal. The solution is adequate defense. Indian police were woefully underprepared for something like this even after similar attacks in the past.

Alan Chapman, Durham, NC, USA

I would imagine that nearly all the tchnology used by the terrorists; satelite images, mobiles etc was originally designed for military purposes anyway but by us not them

Steve Gullidge, Treorchy, Wales

The Taj Hotel and the Inercontinental Hotel are not exactly sensitive places. Why would Google make them blurred?

Vinay Mehra, Purley, Surrey

Reports of insurgents using google earth to launch attacks in Iraq surfaced about 4 years ago.

You will be a fool to think terrorists won't use google earth to study, get details such as map coordinates of interested sites.

Google would be liars if they do/did not think terrorists would use it

Elisha, London, England

By that logic, banning the use of flight simulators could have prevented 9/11...

Buchilo, London, UK

What next - ban all clocks because they used them to tell time? Give me a break.

Fred Corn, Chicago,

In the US if someone takes a gun and shoots someone lawyers are trying to hold the gun manufacturer responsible. What if those in India who lost family members used the same logic and sued Google for providing the maps. That might be very interesting

Jubilo, Hugo, OK, USA

As the story mentioned the terrorists also used Blackberries, sim cards, and GPS navigators -- clearly we need to ban all technology in order to feel safer!

Agnes, Chicago,

Hey let us all forget that everyone walking the street is a target for these misguided people. Tehcnology is useful only if used appropriately. If google earth is showing sensitive data then I think any country has the right to petition for a ban.

Shyamsundar, Belfast,

Google has "aided" no one!! 0.00001% of the population (terrorists) have "exploited" the system/software! Could they have with a paper Map aswell?

The goverment can request Google "blur" sensitive locations, if the goverment failed to request they be blured, why blame Google?

Scapegoat anyone?

Andrew, Durham, England, UK

I hate to admit this, but it is correct that this tool is very valuable to terrrorists that do not live in certain areas to target and anticipate the layout of potential sites. I agree that Google Earth should be limited in this capacity, especially in the world we live in.

Ashley, Atlanta, GA , USA

For aiding and abetting, could Google be a legitimate target of the war on terror?

Jeff, Ohio, USA

With India preparing to release it's own, more powerful (up to 4 times) version of a Google Earth, why am I not surprised to hear that they want to ban the competition. As is the norm in news stories these days, there is more to this one than meets the eye.

D Lynch, Easley, U.S.A

Hate to say this but, could this ban of Google Earth have anything to do with India launching its own version of it?

J C Smith, Wichita, USA

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe we has terrorism before google even existed. I seem to remember the Munich massacre at the 1972 Sumer Olympics, for example.

jay, Leeds, uk

During my trips to India, I was amazed at how often "photography" was forbidden, including on a tourist sight-seeing boat traveling from the Gate of India just across from the Taj Hotel. The Indian Govt. should instead focus on building a more effective counter-terrorism unit rather than censorship.

David Kennerly, San Francisco, U.S.A.

Technology is and always has been a double edged sword!

Scott, Morgantown, WV, USA

This is like saying we should also ban knives cause crazies might want to stab people with them. But then how will i cut my steak? Google earth is a revolutionary tool, as with any tool it comes with risks and rewards and an inherent responsibility of those who use the tool.

Rebecca H., Fredericksburg, VA, USA

Great ! Why doesn't the Indian government ban all bullets and guns and bombs from all persons on this planet earth ?!

Julian Harman, Singapore, Singapore

I guess they should ban boats as well since they did use them to get there. Wait a minute. If you ban it in Indian then all you have to do is plan it in Pakistan. Oh, I forgot thats where they planned it there in the first place. Think people, think!

Steve , los angeles , USA

Google should have no right to provide such potentially dangerous information without a public referendum to see if people even want their homes, etc., to be included in such a program without being able to opt out, FIRST.

Edo Van Ede, Dordrecht,

I guess they should ban Rand McNally maps, city maps and aerial photography too. In case a nut case wants to harm people.
Dont forget the atlas maps either.....they might be just for terrorist.
C'mon people enough with the paranoia!

Rose, Medford, usa

Ask them to look arround and learn from our secure countries.

Pradep, SG, Singapore

I believe all countries should have the right to blur security areas of their country. The entire world community is in a war against these extremist and criminals who would want to destroy us.

kk baker, grapevine, texas

I highly doubt that the attackers failed to get someone to physically case the targets before the attack. Was the CCTV room pinpointed using Google or a more direct method of surveillance?

Sherman Boyd, Tempe, AZ, USA

So I guess since the WTC bombers used a Ford Econoline van to deliver the bomb back in 1994, Ford should stop making vans? This is an absurd line of reasoning.

Also, common sense dictates that if a "terrorist" wants to blow something up, censoring Google Earth won't do much to stop it.

Name Withheld, Dallas, USA

They terrorists made a bee line for the CCTV room. That didn't come off google. They were using gps to find their way across the sea, once again not google. I do agree that military sensitive areas should be blured, but you certainly can't ban google earth because it may have been used.

Brian, Sonoma, USA

Like everything else tech has it's good and bad side, give humans a new toy and some amongst us will use it negatively.
BTW, there are other maps on line, Micorsoft's on line map can be viewed in 3D and id's landmarks; and there is the satnav, can guide to most places on earth, sight or sightless.

Jah Guda, Harold Wood, GB

I don't think it can work. Blur important sites? Does that include the hotels, airports and ports? Isn't everything a potential target?

Tim, LA,

I would agree with Indian officials. I believe that all countries should be able to give a list of areas that should be blurred to prevent security issues as decided within that country.

If I get a telescope and I look into your bedroom just because I can, it doesn't make it morally right or legal

Dennis, Baltimore, USA

Blaming this on GE is akin to blaming kidnappings on Toyota because the kidnappers used a Toyota van. It's absurd to assess blame on technology. These attacks would have been just as effective with a local tourist guidebook. Sheeple, start taking responsibility for actions rather than blaming.

Mike, Colorado,

Google Earth may help terrorists, however, it doesa show that there is no ice at the North Pole whereas it shows ice at the South Pole. Therefore, there are certain notable individuals and institrutions that use this evidence as proof of global warming.

Rupert, Westleigh,

When is the last time somebody actually got a genie back into it's bottle?

Chr, Sarasota, USA

It's Correct - Google Earth helping terrorists to get necessary information regarding particular location.Indian Government also need to ask Google - To ban the Google Map imaging of the important location.All countries important location also need not be shown in Google Earth and Map!

Mani, Chennai, India

They are not saying to remove google earth service but just to blur or not show key installations within the world. The gov goes to great length to hide such facilities and then they popup on google earth. Google should take such information away from online to do their part to make world safer.

Hiren, Clarksburg,

I don't think anyone in India believes that Google Earth will be banned. This looks more like an attempt to spread the blame which is currently being focused largely on India's politicians. India's reaction is a hopeful sign in my opinion; there's been no major communal violence or massing of troops

Radhika, Wantage, UK

So Google Earth is a threat? Do they not have maps in India ?

John, London,

well, the US has its sensitive areas removed. why should there be a problem in removing high details as requested by the Indian government?

Chaitu, Hyderabad,

Would those calling for a ban on google Earth also wish a ban on the transport that the terrorists used or the food that fueled or the religion that inspired or the parents who bore them. The call to ban google earth is childish. It is a valuable service that does more good than harm.

David Reid, London, England

Shoot the Root of terror..not the technology...use the same to destroy terror..

RAj, BAngalore,

Ban communication via talking as well, perhaps banks will be forced to move there call centers back to blighty!

Phil, Stockport, UK

What rubbish! This is simply to cover up their own incompetence in preventing and dealing with the attacks. Why don't they ban the internet as well while they're at it. And why stop there, how about banning mobile phones.

Richard Say, Manchester,

dont' shoot the messenger, what next ban street maps, gps, cell phones, books?

kevin, carlisle,

The blame game wouldnt help India at all. Instead of finding glaring chinks in their armour, the country has resorted to blame game...pakistan..google earth...muslims...what next they would ban internet coz these guys have allegedly used internet to call each other...

Abhishek Tandon, Delhi, India