Norwegian Government Bans Apple From 3D Filming In Oslo

2023 Author: Gordon Kinson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 08:36

Apple is currently deprived of the ability to 3D-survey the Norwegian capital Oslo from the air, which the company planned to conduct in the interests of creating its own mapping service for iOS and Mac. This was reported by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.

After Apple removed Google Maps from its iOS 6 platform last year, the company launched its own 3D- enabled mapping application, Flyover. This mode provides the ability to view 3D presentations of many cities around the world.

Today's announcement says that the Norwegian National Security Administrator is preventing Apple from collecting 3D data needed to run Flyover. To obtain images, Apple uses small aircraft equipped with modern camera systems that can fly between buildings. The processed data obtained by unmanned “scouts” is processed and forms the basis of the 3D application.

The Norwegian authorities have officially confirmed their ban on Apple's filming of the country's capital, explaining that they are opposed to the American company giving everyone access to images that may contain security buildings or elements of security infrastructure in Oslo. As an example, Aftenposten journalists cite the headquarters of the Norwegian intelligence, the building of which is prohibited for photography.

To solve the problem and fill in the blank spots in the database, Apple turned to the US Embassy in Norway for help. It is reported that the US embassy contacted Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang, who, in turn, asked the country's defense minister to reconsider Apple's ban on 3D data capture.

Perhaps the solution for Apple and Norway in this matter would be for the country's authorities to determine a list of those objects (areas), the data about which, including images, should not become public through the mapping application.

It is worth noting that the 3D data for Oslo already available to Apple is part of data collected by the Swedish company C3 Technologies, which Apple acquired in late 2011. C3 data, including Oslo and some other parts of the country, is still present in Apple's mapping application. It's surprising why the Norwegian authorities allowed the Swedish C3 to be filmed, but prohibited Apple from filming. It is possible that certain laws or policies have changed since the C3 filmed.

Since the launch of its mapping app in 2012, Apple has been constantly working to fix bugs and inaccuracies, as well as improve its functionality. The service will also be updated with a new version of the iOS 7 mobile platform, which will be released in September this year. The company also plans to make its maps available on Mac OS X Mavericks this fall. In addition, Apple has acquired several companies in recent months to strengthen the company's mapping business.

See also:

• BGR: Apple Maps in iOS 6 are awful and the whole world already knows about it.
• Apple Maps gives New York a post-apocalyptic look.
• What's new in Maps for iOS 7 (overview).
• Download updated Navitel Navigator 7.5.0.2169 for iPhone.
• Apple Maps glitches as art (photo).
• How to view frequently visited places in iOS 7 (screenshots).
• How to save Google Maps for use without the Internet (instruction).