The International Herald Tribune has a lengthy article on the security issues arising from Google Earth’s satellite imagery. The article mentions India’s concerns and others, including Australia and South Korea. The article suggests that the access to high resolution satellite imagery is an unstoppable trend: “Imagery is growing harder ot control especially as it makes its way around the Internet. Several countries, notably Nigeria, China and Brazil, have lainched their own satellites, making it harder for any one government to impose restrictions.”

The article mentions all too briefly another byproduct of increased access to satellite imagery. Advocacy groups use satellite imagery to monitor tropical deforestation and publicize North Korea’s forced labour camps.