Norway Bans Apple From 3D Mapping

Norway has banned Apple AAPL from taking 3D pictures of buildings in Oslo out of a concern for national security, VentureBeat reported on Wednesday.

The country’s National Security Authority said that the company would not be allowed to fly directly over the capital city to gather images for its new 3D feature in its Maps app. Norway’s main concern is that the images will reveal sensitive security information regarding certain Oslo edifices, such as the country’s intelligence operations building.

Apple’s Maps app was first released with the iPhone iOS6 last year. It received poor initial reception due to a myriad of bugs like poor directions and incomplete 3D renderings. To create the app, Apple purchased C3 Technologies, a 3D imaging company that had actually obtained 3D mapping of Oslo. However, it is unlikely that Apple will be able to use the images due to the recent Norwegian ban.