Google Maps turns off live traffic information in Israel and Gaza

Mapping provider says it has done this 'previously in conflict situations'
By Adam Hill October 26, 2023 Read time: 1 min
'Temporarily disabled' for 'safety of local communities' (© Bigtunaonline | Dreamstime.com)

Google has disabled its live traffic reports on Google Maps in Israel and Gaza.

“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 in Israel and Gaza out of consideration for the safety of local communities," says a Google spokesperson.

"Anyone navigating to a specific place will still get routes and ETAs that take current traffic conditions into account.”  

Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip following the attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas on 7 October.

Live traffic updates can reveal large concentrations of people and troop movements: mapping companies including TomTom made a similar decision to suspend services after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

GIS/ Mapping & Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Vehicle manufacturers and local authorities seek satnav solutions
    December 5, 2013
    The increasing capability of satellite navigation is helping vehicle manufacturers and local authorities as well as individual drivers and fleets. In comparison to the physical ITS infrastructure in towns and cities and on motorways and highways, satellite navigation (satnav) systems have come a long way in a short time. Many (if not the majority) individual drivers and fleets use or have access to a satnav and now the vehicle manufacturers and even local authorities are beginning to utilise satnav derived
    Read More
  • Changing roles in data collection for traffic management
    January 23, 2012
    Transport for Greater Manchester's David Hytch discusses the evolving roles of the public and private sector in managing and disseminating data. Data services for traffic management were once the sole preserve of public sector organisations, they being uniquely placed and equipped for the work involved. Now, though, this is changing. There is even a presumption in some countries that the private sector will take a greater, if not actually a lead, role in the provision of information for transport management
    Read More
  • Google updates maps to display natural disasters
    August 20, 2019
    Google is improving its SOS alerts by adding visual information about natural disasters and a navigation system on Google Maps. Google says the upgrade will extend the capabilities of the SOS alerts to provide crisis information via relevant news stories and Twitter updates from local authorities to include detailed visualisations about hurricanes, earthquakes and floods. In the days leading up to a hurricane, users will receive a crisis notification card on Google Maps warning them if they are in its p
    Read More
  • Google updates maps to display natural disasters
    July 2, 2019
    Google is improving its SOS alerts by adding visual information about natural disasters and a navigation system on Google Maps. Google says the upgrade will extend the capabilities of the SOS alerts to provide crisis information via relevant news stories and Twitter updates from local authorities to include detailed visualisations about hurricanes, earthquakes and floods. In the days leading up to a hurricane, users will receive a crisis notification card on Google Maps that appears near impacted areas.
    Read More

Highlighted Content