CBI files PE against Google for Mapathon

The CBI has registered a Preliminary Enquiry ( PE) against the Google India private limited to probe the alleged violation of the National Map Policy- 2005 by the Internet giant for conducting its “Mapathon— 2013” competition. The US- based Internet company had launched the Mapathon contest between February 12 and March 25 in 2013, asking Indians to map their neighbourhoods and send their maps so that they can be uploaded in the search engine’s sites.

According to sources CBI sleuths recently examined the top functionary of the Google India in connection with its investigations into the PE. The agency is now preparing to seek fresh clarifications from the internet giant, they added. Talking to this newspaper on Friday, CBI Spokesperson Ms. Kanchan Prasad said, “Yes, the CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry in this regard. But nothing can be shared at this point of time as the investigation is still on”.

The case was earlier probed by the Delhi Police after the Survey of India charged the Internet giant with jeopardising ‘ national security interest’ and violating the National Map Policy. The Surveyor- General of India had written to Google India asking it to stop the competition on March 21, 2013. Former minister of state for home affairs, R. P. N. Singh had said, “M/ s Google, without any approval from any agency of the government of India, conducted the Mapathon 2013 competition.”