Geo-tagging is illegal in China

Posted on 21 Apr 2010 at 10:01

We knew that China wasn't a big fan of free speech or unfettered access to the internet, but we've just found out that the communist government also doesn't want you to know exactly where you are.

When we were sent information on the new Leica V-LUX 20 geo-tagging camera yesterday, we were surprised to find a note saying that the GPS features may not work in China.

We've just received clarification that the features will work, but the Chinese government has made such devices illegal for use. It turns out that the paranoid government doesn't want illegal surveying. Visitors to the country are advised to turn off GPS on all devices, or they face being arrested and fined.

It sounds a little crazy to us, particularly when high-resolution satellite imagery of the entire country is already available online, such as the image above of Tiananmen Square above from Google Maps.

Author: David Ludlow

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