January 21, 2025

Israel: Here’s why Google Maps has disabled live traffic conditions in Israel and Gaza

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Alphabet Inc’s Google is reportedly disabling live traffic conditions in Israel and the Gaza Strip for its Maps and Waze apps. The company is doing the same at the request of the Israeli military. The changes in Google Maps come ahead of a potential ground invasion into Gaza.
“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,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement. The company took similar action in Ukraine last year after Russia’s invasion of the country, disabling real-time vehicle and foot traffic data.
What all Google and Apple will not show
Google is removing real-time crowding data in Israel and Gaza at the request of the Israel Defense Forces, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified to discuss internal matters as per a report in Bloomberg. Israeli military fear that Live traffic information on Google Maps may reveal Israeli troop movements.
Google added that while Maps and Waze won’t show real-time traffic, drivers using the navigation systems will continue to receive estimated times of arrival that are based on live conditions,
Israeli tech site GeekTime was the first tio report the restriction in Google Maps. The report added that Apple Inc’s Maps app also complied with the Israeli army request.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to New York to take part in a ministerial meeting at the United Nations Security Council about the Middle East, his spokesperson said in a statement, without detailing who the top US diplomat would be meeting with. The US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo will travel to Europe from October 27-November 1 to discuss efforts “to deny Hamas and other terrorist organizations the ability to raise and use funds.”



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