Alphabet’s Google Maps and Waze will not show live traffic conditions in Israel and the Gaza Strip after a possible request from the Israeli military.
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A Google spokesperson in a statement to Bloomberg said, “As we have done previously in conflict situations and in response to the evolving situation in the region, we have temporarily disabled the ability to see live traffic conditions and busyness information out of consideration for the safety of local communities,”
The company said that while real-time traffic data will be available, drivers using the navigation systems that show the estimated times based on live conditions will continue to work.
Google has decided to remove real-time traffic data in Israel and Gaza owing to a request from Israel’s Defence Forces, Bloomberg reported quoting sources. According to a report by Israeli tech site GeekTime, the Israeli army has also asked Apple to remove real-time traffic information from its Maps app, and the iPhone maker has complied.
Live traffic data could reveal the movements of Israeli troops that are planning to mass ground invasion into Gaza. The search giant had also disabled real-time vehicle and foot traffic data after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
Israel is planning to launch the much talked about ground invasion into Gaza after militant outlet Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in a terrorist attack in the south of the country in a terror attack on October 7 while taking over 200 people hostage.
UN humanitarian office (OCHA) states that around 1.4 million or over 50% of Gaza’s population is now internally displaced, many of whom are now seeking refuge in overcrowded UN emergency shelters, reported Reuters.
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Updated: 24 Oct 2023, 08:11 AM IST
