EC-Google tie-up would not have been in national interest: BJP

BJP today welcomed the Election Commission's decision to abort its proposed tie-up with internet giant Google, saying it was not in nation's interest to go ahead with the proposal due to security concerns.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Election Commission V S Sampath in the presence of Election Commissioner H S Brahma, BJP leader Tarun Vijay handed over documents pertaining to a complaint by the Survey of India against Google which is being probed by the CBI.

The BJP Rajya Sabha MP said the Survey of India has raised strong objections on mapping activities of Google in the country where the US-based internet company has obtained restricted data which attracts penal action as it is a serious violation of Indian laws.

"Google's activities have been violating the Indian laws governing mapping policy and I have raised the matter before the Defence Minister and a probe is pending," he said.

He also alleged that an FIR has been lodged in R K Puram police station against the grave security violations.

He asked EC to take note of the serious objections by Indian state agencies against Google and decide in the national interest.

US-based Google had earlier this week made a formal presentation to the Election Commission proposing a tie-up with it for voter facilitation services ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Google had proposed to provide electoral look up services for citizens to help in Commission's efforts for better electoral information services.