10 reasons why India’s new map law might make life tough for its startup entrepreneurs

The narrow streets of Indian bazaars are difficult to map through satellite imagery. Photo credit: HappyTrips.com.

If you’re stuck in a new city, want to find a street, but can’t speak the local language, your smartphone can come in really handy.

Driving a car and can’t stop every few meters to ask for directions? Your GPS device becomes a savior. And if you’re stuck in a mountain pass, with nobody around to ask, a GPS-enabled map might save your life.

However, the Indian government wishes to restrict the open sharing of maps with a new law.

India’s draft GeoSpatial Bill 2016 (PDF link) will impose a fine of US$15 million with an imprisonment of seven years for posting geo-spatial data of any part of India on the internet without adequate permission.

A Google street view car parked at its Mountain View campus. Street view cars are banned in India. Photo credit: Tech in Asia.

In order to post a Google Maps link to any location in India, you will have to approach a yet-to-be-formed Security Vetting Authority.

As a result of the new law, that new backpacker hostel in a narrow bazaar may not exist on Google Maps the next time you’re touring India. To map an entire street or town, you will require a license.

Terror attacks invited stricter law

While the world was ringing in the new year on January 2nd this year, six attackers used Google Maps and AK-47 rifles to enter an Indian airbase near international borders.

Intelligence reports found that the attackers were in touch with their handlers in Pakistan, who were guiding them with the use of Google Maps.

Photo credit: Pixabay.

Since then, the Indian government started working on a law that would restrict sharing of any unapproved geospatial data of India on the internet.

1. No more Uber around military areas

2. Climb the Himalayas without maps

3. Expect delays in that grocery or food delivery

4. Get ready for the Indian Map police

5. Illegal mapping can invite jail for the CEO

6. Google and Microsoft in a fix over Indo-Pak wars

7. No Street View for Indian bazaars

8. Map police to have its own court

9. Your phone and laptop can be taken away