Google responds to the issue of the Vietnamese flag appearing faded and white on the Maps app.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - A Google representative has responded after the image of the Vietnamese flag on Truong Sa Lon Island appeared blurry on the Google Maps application.

As reported by Dan Tri newspaper, the online community in Vietnam discovered that a giant ceramic Vietnamese flag, affixed to the roof of a meeting hall on Truong Sa Lon Island (part of the Truong Sa archipelago, Khanh Hoa province), appeared faded and white on Google Maps and Google Earth. This information immediately sparked outrage in the country, as these images implied a denial of Vietnam's sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago.

As of the afternoon of July 11th, the image of the giant Vietnamese national flag on Truong Sa Lon Island was still blurry and white when viewed on the Google Maps application (Screenshot).

Following strong public backlash, a Google representative officially spoke out, explaining why the giant Vietnamese flag on Truong Sa Lon Island was blurred. "Google does not blur or alter satellite imagery provided by third-party partners. The issue with the displayed image is due to poor image quality, and we are taking the necessary steps to replace it with a higher-quality image," the Google representative stated. However, this explanation failed to convince users. Many netizens continued to protest against Google. "Even a quick glance reveals that the image of the Vietnamese flag on Truong Sa Lon Island has been manipulated and completely removed from the satellite image, not due to low image quality. The details surrounding the position of the flag are still perfectly normal," commented Facebook user T. Duc. According to Dan Tri newspaper's investigation, the satellite images used on Google Maps and Google Earth are not taken by Google itself, but are collected by Google from third-party partners, using geostationary satellites and drones. Google has the right to process these images before uploading them to its map applications. These satellite images are continuously captured and updated on Google's map service. However, the image of the giant Vietnamese flag on Truong Sa Lon Island only disappeared from Google Maps on July 10th and was quickly discovered by the online community. As of now (afternoon of July 11th), the image of the Vietnamese flag on Truong Sa Lon Island has not reappeared on Google Maps and Google Earth.

The giant Vietnamese flag on Truong Sa Lon Island is still clearly visible on Apple's Maps app (Screenshot).

Meanwhile, if you use Apple's "Maps" app to access the "Pride Coordinates" (8⁰38'38.9"N 111⁰55'09.7"E) and view it in satellite mode, you can still clearly see the Vietnamese flag on Truong Sa Island.

Regarding the issue of Google's satellite maps not displaying the Vietnamese national flag on Truong Sa Lon Island, the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information, Ministry of Information and Communications, has worked with Google on this matter. Based on Google's response, the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information has requested Google to promptly rectify the issue.