South Korea mulls high-resolution map exports from Google and Apple
South Korea is nearing a decision on whether to permit Google and Apple to export highly detailed geographic map data to servers outside the country. The move could unlock a new era of navigation accuracy, smart cities, and advanced technologies, but it also raises sensitive questions about national security and digital sovereignty.
The core issue is the 1:5,000 scale maps, which reveal streets, buildings, and alleyways far more precisely than the current 1:25,000 data many platforms use. While such detail can enhance services for local users and spur innovation, it also heightens concerns about potential exposure of sensitive installations when maps are stored or processed abroad.
Legislative scrutiny and security concerns
Earlier this week, South Korea’s National Assembly Defense Committee conducted a parliamentary audit of Google Korea. Lawmakers pressed the company on its requests for local map data and the potential security implications of exporting high-resolution information. The session follows a pattern: Seoul delayed a decision in August after previously stalling in May, signaling the government’s cautious approach to geospatial data that could impact national security.
A key worry among policymakers is that integrating commercial imagery with high-resolution maps could reveal sensitive military sites. One lawmaker urged the government to secure authority to monitor and regulate the export of such information, arguing that Korea’s ongoing state of political tension with North Korea warrants extra caution in disclosing precise locations.
A government official told TechCrunch that the final decision on Google Maps is expected around November 11, or possibly earlier, with the review period extended by 60 days by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the prior month. The timing underscores how geopolitics and technology policy are intertwined in Seoul’s considerations.
Google’s and Apple’s positions and regulatory hurdles
Google first sought approval in February to use the 1:5,000 scale maps for Korea and to transfer map data to servers outside the country. The company currently operates on a 1:25,000 scale in Korea, offering basic point-of-interest data and satellite imagery. Local apps like Naver Map, T Map, and Kakao Map currently provide 1:5,000 data, creating a competitive advantage for those platforms and heightening the pressure on foreign entrants to access the same level of detail.
Past refusals in 2011 and 2016 stemmed from the demand to open a local data center and obscure sensitive sites. Google reportedly declined those terms. After the August rejection, Google allegedly agreed to blur or obscure certain security locations on Google Maps and Google Earth. There have also been reports that Google may consider purchasing government-approved satellite data from local providers, including T Map, to satisfy local requirements.
Apple, which also petitioned in June to export 1:5,000 scale data, followed a similar arc. Unlike Google, Apple is said to operate local servers in Korea, a factor the government weighs in its review since local servers facilitate swift responses to security concerns. Apple’s stance appears to include a readiness to blur or lower the resolution of sensitive sites, and reports indicate it may rely on SK Telecom’s T Map as a primary base map source. Apple has not publicly commented on TechCrunch’s inquiry.
Implications for technology, security, and the market
Advocates argue that allowing high-resolution maps to cross borders could bolster tourism, empower local businesses, and accelerate smart-city innovations by delivering richer navigational data and enabling advanced applications, including autonomous vehicles and drone deliveries. Proponents contend that tighter government safeguards, such as mandatory blurring or selective data retention, can address security concerns while preserving competitive opportunities for domestic players and global tech firms alike.
Critics warn that benefits may disproportionately accrue to U.S.-based tech giants, potentially sidelining homegrown Korean firms and limiting sovereignty over critical geospatial information. The debate thus centers on how to balance openness with robust protections—policies that could set a precedent for other countries wrestling with similar geospatial data questions.
What’s at stake for Korea’s future map policy
In a market where map data underpins everything from navigation apps to delivery logistics and smart-city deployments, South Korea’s decision will shape the country’s digital infrastructure for years to come. The government’s stance could influence partnerships, data localization rules, and the way international tech platforms design their services for Korean users.
As Seoul weighs the competing interests of innovation, security, and sovereignty, observers will watch closely for how the final policy addresses concerns about sensitive locations, the integrity of local infrastructure, and the ability to enforce restrictions on foreign servers and data processing.
Conclusion
The forthcoming decision on exporting high-resolution 1:5,000 map data reflects a broader global trend: as maps become more precise and integral to emerging technologies, governments must craft nuanced policies that safeguard security while embracing the benefits of advanced geospatial data. The outcome in Korea will likely influence policy and industry practices in other security-conscious markets as well.
