Tech giants Google and Apple are stopping displaying real-time traffic conditions in Israel and Gaza on Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps, respectively, amid the anticipated ground invasion into Gaza by Israel, the media has reported. However, drivers using the navigation apps will still receive estimated times of arrival based on live conditions. This was first spotted by a publication named Geektime.
To recall, Google took similar action in Ukraine after Russia’s invasion last year.
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“As we have done previously in conflict situations and in response to the evolving situation in the region, we have temporarily disabled the ability to see live traffic conditions and busyness information out of consideration for the safety of local communities,” a Google spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement by CNBC.
“Anyone navigating to a specific place will still get routes and ETAs that take current traffic conditions into account," the spokesperson added.
Disabling live traffic conditions is likely to prevent the live-tracking of on-the-ground military movements.
It should be noted that tech giant Google's CEO Sundar Pichai raised his concerns for the victims of the attack after the Hamas attack on Israel. He had also announced $8 million in grants for civilians who are impacted by the conflict in both Israel and Gaza.
Meanwhile, according to a report by Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Ajansi, the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has soared to 6,546, the Health Ministry has said.
“The fatalities included 2,704 children, 1,584 women, and 364 elders,” the ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a press conference in Gaza City. He added that 17,439 other people were injured in the assaults, while 1,600 people remained trapped under the rubble, including 900 children.