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

  • When traffic data can get it totally wrong
    November 30, 2021
    How can a highway devoid of traffic provide data suggesting it is filled with vehicles crawling along? Michael Vardi of Valerann provides an insight into how data can easily be skewed - and what can be done to prevent it
    Read More
  • Europe’s EasyWay project accommodates political requirements
    May 29, 2013
    The EasyWay project has evolved to take account of political developments at the European level. By Jason Barnes The European Union’s (EU’s) EasyWay ITS deployment project has its roots in the ambitions of former European Commission President Jacques Delors with regard to truly international networks for energy, information and for transport. Definition of what became known as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) began back in 1994 with seven working groups. They produced an R&D and policy framework
    Read More
  • Tech advances create MaaS without compromise
    August 29, 2019
    Advances in technology make it possible for authorities to compile and maintain MaaS platforms cheaply - and without relinquishing control to third parties. Colin Sowman finds out more… It is increasingly clear that local authorities’ reluctance to implement Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is based on politics and finance. However, the technology underpinning MaaS is evolving rapidly and is presenting new solutions. At its heart, the political resistance comes down to the divide between the ethos of public
    Read More
  • Russia 'cannot lead' on UN road safety
    April 27, 2022
    ETSC says Ukraine invasion means Russian Federation should step aside for UN meeting
    Read More

Highlighted Content