Small Business Owner: Don’t Share Your High-Precision Map with Google
- SEOUL,South Korea (May 1,2025) – The small business sector in South Korea is voicing strong objections to Google's application to export high-precision map data,fearing potential negative impacts on...
- Google submitted a request to the South Korean government in February, seeking authorization to export map data with a scale of 1 to 5,000.
- The Small Business association released a statement on April 30 expressing concerns that the demand for high-precision maps extends beyond Google Maps.
South Korean Small Businesses Oppose Google‘s Map Data Export Request
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SEOUL,South Korea (May 1,2025) – The small business sector in South Korea is voicing strong objections to Google’s application to export high-precision map data,fearing potential negative impacts on local businesses and industries.
Google’s Application Under Scrutiny
Google submitted a request to the South Korean government in February, seeking authorization to export map data with a scale of 1 to 5,000. This level of detail provides comprehensive facts about the South Korean landscape.
Concerns Over Data Usage
The Small Business association released a statement on April 30 expressing concerns that the demand for high-precision maps extends beyond Google Maps. They suggest potential applications in sectors like autonomous driving.
“The 1-to-5,000 map contains detailed information,exposing public institutions,hospitals,schools,hotels,apartment complexes,and small businesses,” the association stated. “Exporting this data could impact all location-based services and autonomous driving technologies.”
Impact on Future Industries
The association emphasized the importance of map information as a foundation for emerging industries, including autonomous driving, smart cities, mobility solutions, and the spatial information sector.
Competition and Autonomous Taxis
According to Soo-yeon, a representative of the Small Business Association, Google’s request masks a strategy to enter the autonomous taxi market through its subsidiary, Waymo. Soo-yeon stated that while Google presents the request as beneficial to domestic consumers, the government should consider the potential harm to small businesses like taxi and surrogate driving services if the export is approved.
Trade Policy Considerations
Soo-yeon also suggested that the U.S. government’s customs policies could influence the decision,particularly as deregulation of non-tariff trade barriers is under discussion.This raises concerns that the export of high-precision guidance data might be approved in response to U.S. trade pressures.
South Korean Small Businesses vs. Google: The Map Data Export Dispute
Here’s a breakdown of the situation in South Korea concerning Google’s request to export high-precision map data, presented in a Q&A format to provide clarity and understanding.
what is the core issue?
The core issue is Google’s submission to the South Korean government that seeks authorization to export highly detailed map data. Specifically, the data in question has a scale of 1 to 5,000, meaning a high level of precision in the south Korean landscape is represented. Small businesses in South Korea are strongly opposed to this, fearing adverse effects on their operations and industries.
Why are South Korean small businesses opposing Google’s map data export?
South Korean small businesses are primarily concerned about the potential for this highly detailed map data to negatively impact their businesses. Thay believe that exporting such data could lead to unfair competition and harm to existing location-based services and industries.
What specific concerns does the Small Business Association have?
The Small Business Association has voiced several specific concerns, as highlighted in their April 30th statement:
They believe the demand for high-precision maps extends beyond Google Maps.
They suggest potential applications in autonomous driving and other emerging technologies.
They are worried the detailed nature of the maps (1-to-5,000 scale) could expose sensitive information about businesses and public institutions.
They fear that exporting this data could negatively impact location-based services and autonomous driving technologies.
What kind of information is included in the 1-to-5,000 scale map data?
According to the Small Business Association, the high-precision maps contain detailed information about:
Public institutions
Hospitals
Schools
Hotels
Apartment complexes
Small businesses
Beyond Google Maps, what other industries are being considered?
the Small business Association suggests that the map data could be used in various sectors, including: