As the Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory enter their fifth day, the giant company "Google" announced today, Monday, that it is taking necessary measures for the safety of civilians in Ukraine, emphasizing the suspension of its maps service, which provides live information on traffic and the level of congestion in different areas.
In a statement, according to what "Reuters" reported, it stated that it will temporarily halt real-time traffic services on its maps in Ukraine to protect people, after consulting with on-the-ground sources, including local authorities.
However, it clarified that live traffic information will remain available for drivers using step-by-step navigation features in the region. It is noteworthy that the map service, which included radar images, had allowed several experts and researchers to track the movement of Russian troops last week before Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the implementation of a military operation in his western neighbor's territory on the early morning of February 24.
Major technology companies, including social media platforms like Facebook, previously announced that they would take new measures to protect user security in Ukraine. Google has also prevented Russia from benefiting from advertisements on its platform and has imposed a ban on various government-affiliated media outlets. These steps come amid the continued Russian attacks on Ukraine for the fifth day, with widespread condemnation from the international community, which has imposed strict sanctions against Moscow, pledging to sever and isolate it from the global financial system permanently.
