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

  • TomTom debuts London pedestrian maps
    January 30, 2015
    TomTom has updated its global maps, increasing coverage and improving features for all business customers. TomTom’s global map database now covers over 44 million kilometres and 4.2 billion people worldwide, and features full navigable coverage for 126 countries. Global map enhancements include the launch of navigable, turn-by-turn maps for Albania and Senegal and the debut of pedestrian maps for Berlin, London, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto featuring pedestrian-specific geometry, such as footp
    Read More
  • CoMotion LA Live 2020: report
    November 30, 2020
    November’s CoMotion LA Live event looked at new technology, emerging partnerships – and how Joe Biden’s ‘super-commuter’ status might just stand future mobility in good stead
    Read More
  • Brake, FTA welcome new guidelines on reporting medically ‘unfit’ drivers
    November 27, 2015
    Road safety charity Brake and the Freight Transport Association have welcomed the General Medial Council’s strengthened guidelines to all doctors emphasising their duty to disclose information to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or DVA (Northern Ireland), where the patient has failed to act. It’s a shift that’s welcomed by road safety charity, Brake, which has long called for greater clarity from the GMC. Gary Rae, director of communications and campaigns for the charity, said: “This is
    Read More
  • Russia's high speed toll link - aims and opportunities
    July 31, 2012
    Construction of a new toll link between the Russian capital of Moscow and the country's second-largest city, the port of St Petersburg, is due to start in 2012. Here, ITS International takes look at the project to date and the opportunities for foreign companies to get involved. The construction of a new toll link between the Russian capital Moscow and the country's second-largest city St Petersburg has a number of aims. It will lead to the creation of a high-speed vehicular link between the two which will
    Read More

Highlighted Content