Google recently updated the pictures on its Google Maps service, which caused a wave of discussions in the media and social networks. On new images, according to the head of the Center for Combating Misinformation at NSDC Andriy Kovalenko, you can see the location of military systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This raised the question of the possible consequences of data leakage in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
According to Kovalenko, Google posted updated pictures that can recognize the location of air defense systems and other military facilities. However, the head of the CPD emphasizes that the Ukrainian side immediately appealed to Google to resolve this issue. The company has promised to respond to the request, but the updated data is still available.
After the emergence of new images, the Russian media and propaganda channels began to actively disseminate this information, which only enhanced fears of possible consequences.
Ivan Stupak, a former SBU employee, suggests that Russian hackers could artificially provoke a renovation of the pictures. According to him, Google Maps algorithms are able to automatically update data in response to a sharp increase in interest in a particular location. This means that an artificial flurry of requests for specific objects in Ukraine could become a trigger for such an upgrade.
"I can assume that Russian bots and hackers have created artificial demand for certain objects, which is why Google automatically updated the maps. However, it should be understood that much of such data is known to the enemy - Russian" Shahda "is regularly appearing over Kiev," said Stupak.
The leakage of information about military facilities, including air defense systems or rear bases, can have dangerous consequences if it gets into public access. The positions on the front line often change, and even accidental disclosure quickly loses its relevance. However, the location of permanent objects on the map is another situation that really carries potential risks.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Russian side actively uses such updates in its propaganda, trying to convince the public of "betrayal" by Western partners of Ukraine.
The head of the Center for Clearing Misinformation Andriy Kovalenko emphasizes the importance of ensuring the confidentiality of military data during the war. There are specialized platforms such as Deepstate, which provide up -to -date information, without revealing the details of the exact location of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. In addition, such resources indicate only the territories where the fighting occurs, or the released areas, in order to inform society.
At times when technological tools can influence the safety and awareness of troops, such situations should be considered with maximum caution.
