Live data from Hacker News

The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

smithsonianmag.com

11–20 of 49 posts

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#11
post #8

I'm a bit surprised that this one was declassified given the sensitive nature of the content. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ciagov/5988128522/in/album-721...

Wait, was this actually classified to begin with?

If so, it's a case study in how that power is misused...

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#12
post #4

Related is the story of Soviet maps. The Soviets had engaged in a monumental effort to map the world and then during the collapse in one of the republics the classified stack of maps got in the hands of Westerners: https://www.sovietmaps.com/ Here is a longer article about it: https://www.wired.com/2015/07/secret-cold-war-maps/ And also the map of San Francisco from the 80s: http://i.imgur.com/SdmmFUd.jpg

1980s CIA album has map of central Moscow. On it, subway stations and embassies are marked (that's the expected), gas stations (okay) and also churches (what's weird).

Nothing more, just embassies and churches. Would like to hear a story here.

Baghdad's 2003 map has basically the same set of POI.

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#13
post #4

Related is the story of Soviet maps. The Soviets had engaged in a monumental effort to map the world and then during the collapse in one of the republics the classified stack of maps got in the hands of Westerners: https://www.sovietmaps.com/ Here is a longer article about it: https://www.wired.com/2015/07/secret-cold-war-maps/ And also the map of San Francisco from the 80s: http://i.imgur.com/SdmmFUd.jpg

1980s CIA album has map of central Moscow. On it, subway stations and embassies are marked (that's the expected), gas stations (okay) and also churches (what's weird). Nothing more, just embassies and churches. Would like to hear a story here. Baghdad's 2003 map has basically the same set of POI.

Is that typical of all cities? How about Paris? Rio? Tokyo?

Have a link? I'd like to take a look.

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#14
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1980s CIA album has map of central Moscow. On it, subway stations and embassies are marked (that's the expected), gas stations (okay) and also churches (what's weird). Nothing more, just embassies and churches. Would like to hear a story here. Baghdad's 2003 map has basically the same set of POI.

Is that typical of all cities? How about Paris? Rio? Tokyo? Have a link? I'd like to take a look.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ciagov/30849056096/in/album-72...

If it's a tourist map then probably so, but I assume CIA would like to see something more substantial on their map. They're not in for the sights are they?

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#16
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is that typical of all cities? How about Paris? Rio? Tokyo? Have a link? I'd like to take a look.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ciagov/30849056096/in/album-72... If it's a tourist map then probably so, but I assume CIA would like to see something more substantial on their map. They're not in for the sights are they?

Churches are major landmarks.

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#17
post #2

I'm really curious why this 14 mile strip of Antarctica is censored: https://www.google.com/maps/place/70%C2%B010'04.0%22S+87%C2%... Satellite map images with missing or unclear data: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_map_images_with_miss...

That's pretty spooky. It's most likely some military complex.

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#18
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google will censor just about anything if a government asks them to and claims it's for national security. Hell, they even do it for the uber-rich independent of government.

I'm pretty sure that any US person or organization that doesn't comply with matters supposedly pertaining to national security will go the way of Joe Nacchio and Qwest.

What. A telcon guy or gal here???

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#19
post #4

Related is the story of Soviet maps. The Soviets had engaged in a monumental effort to map the world and then during the collapse in one of the republics the classified stack of maps got in the hands of Westerners: https://www.sovietmaps.com/ Here is a longer article about it: https://www.wired.com/2015/07/secret-cold-war-maps/ And also the map of San Francisco from the 80s: http://i.imgur.com/SdmmFUd.jpg

1980s CIA album has map of central Moscow. On it, subway stations and embassies are marked (that's the expected), gas stations (okay) and also churches (what's weird). Nothing more, just embassies and churches. Would like to hear a story here. Baghdad's 2003 map has basically the same set of POI.

IIRC They're suppose to be protected under the Geneva Convention.

Re: The CIA Is Sharing Declassified Maps

#20
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ciagov/30849056096/in/album-72... If it's a tourist map then probably so, but I assume CIA would like to see something more substantial on their map. They're not in for the sights are they?

Churches are major landmarks.

Some are - they are absolutely everywhere in all cities I've lived in or visited, and yet I couldn't tell you the names of more than a couple. Do people really know the names of a significant portion of them?
Post reply on HN