Google has launched its mapping product, Google Street View, in India, in a move to capitalise on the government’s new geospatial policy, as per reports. Shortly after Google’s announcement, homegrown MapMyIndia, has unveiled a product called Real View Maps, which provides a 360-degree panoramic street view and also includes a 3D Metaverse Maps Service. Although India is a top market for Google Maps, its Street View was rejected by the country’s regulators in 2016 due to objections raised on the grounds of security.
The country’s new National Geospatial Policy, 2021, however, allows products like Google to be operated by foreign companies, as long as the imagery data is owned by Indian firms. To that end, Google said it is licensing the data from Tech Mahindra and mapping firm Genesys International to launch its Street View in India.