Google Maps offers a satellite view or a street-level view of plenty of locations around the world. One can look up landmarks like the Pyramids of Egypt or the Great Wall of China, as well as more personal places, like an ex’s house. But for all of the places that Google Maps allows you to see, there are also places that are off-limits. Google Maps prohibits some images either due to government restrictions, personal-privacy lawsuits or mistakes. Mashable Tech named 10 such places that are blurred and distorted for security reasons.
“The satellite and aerial imagery in Google Earth and Google Maps is sourced from a wide range of both commercial and public sources,” Google spokesperson Deanna Yick was quoted by Masable. “These third-party providers are required to follow the law of the countries in which they operate, so some of them may blur images and then supply us with those images,” he said.
1. The Royal Residence, The Netherlands: The Royal Palace of Amsterdam in Netherlands, called Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam is one among a long list of places blurred on Google Maps related to the Dutch royal family. It also includes the Royal Stables that arranges transport for the members of the Royal House and the Royal Household, and another residence called Huis ten Bosch. This address is one of the four official residences of the Dutch Royal Family, and the Queen Beatrix has lived there since 1981.
2. Buffalo Niagara International Airport: The Buffalo Niagara International Airport for the most part is whited out on Google Maps and details can't be seen when the area is zoomed in. This airport is the busiest airport in Upstate New York and the third busiest in New York State by number of boarding’s.
3. Tantauco National Park, Chile:The Tantauco National Park in Chile can only be seen from a marker using Google Maps. The private natural reserve is home to several endangered animals.
4. Keowee Dam, South Carolina: Man-made reservoir Keowee Dam on Lake Keowee in South Carolina is also unclear on Google Maps. It is shaped like a Christmas tree, and helps run a power utility called the Duke Energy Company. It is also used for public recreational purposes.
5. Mysterious Russian Site: This particular location in Russia has been blurred out and it isn’t exactly known why, especially since it's in the Siberian tundra. The closest city to this location is Egvekinot, Russia, which is a neighbor to Alaska across the Bering Strait.
6. Minami Torishima Airport, Japan: The Minami Torishima Airport is a one-runway airport serving the island of Minami Torishima. It is located off the east coast of Japan and is oversaturated with white on Google Maps. The airport used to be a military airstrip and is presently used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
7. The Michael Aaf Building, Utah:Michael Army Airfield is a military airport and the Dugway Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah is an area occupied by the U.S. Army where the military can test biological and chemical weapon systems. The Michael Aaf building on the proving ground is blurred, most likely for security reasons.
8. Cornell University Combined Heat and Power Plant, New York:The Cornell University Combined Heat and Power Plant in Ithaca, New York which opened in 2010 is also fuzzy on Google Maps. The high-tech, eco-friendly facility generates electricity from natural gas as a part of the university's attempt to lower its carbon dioxide emissions.
9. Babylon, Iraq: The city of Babylon, Iraq is also blurred on Google Maps and looks more like endless farmland than a bustling city.
10. Vlissingen, The Netherlands: Properties owned by the Dutch royal family aren't the only places that are hazy in the Netherlands. Joining the list are the oil tanks in Vlissingen, as well as several army bases and air force bases.