India Internet News
Chinese regulator refused to close Google & Microsoft mapping services
11 July 2011
The State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, China, confirmed that they will not shut down Google's and Microsoft's online mapping services in the country.
It is the first time the regulator has refused to close the online mapping services of these two giant companies. It was also reported that Google may have to close its service in China because of the drop in its market share.
The China Daily officially commented about the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping as "We will not investigate or shut down the websites that have submitted their applications and are under examination." They assured that it had received applications to offer services from Google and Microsoft offices in China. However, these companies have to get a license from the bureau to provide online mapping services in China.
The bureau had previously told that it would close unqualified sites and those that have failed to apply for a license from July 1. Previous rules specify that for providing online mapping services, an outside company must enter into an agreement with a Chinese counterpart, with the local company owning a controlling stake.
But, later on in June, it was decided that the Chinese firm do not need to control the company.
Marsha Wang, a Google China representative, refused to say anything about this. He just told that, "We're in discussions with the government about how we can offer a mapping product in China."