Say goodbye to Google Maps in China ?

A new Chinese rule about online mapping services threatens Google Maps activity in China.

China introduces mapping services regulations

According to the regulations introduced this month, all firms providing online map and location services in China are required to apply for approval from the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping.

Foreign firms will have to set up joint ventures or partnerships with local firms in order to get a license. Authorities will be allowed to shut down the service if providers do not get a licence by the end of this year.

This rule could lead to exclude foreign companies from providing their services in China. 

Reshaping the online mapping market in China ?

Today, China's online mapping services market is led by three actors: Google, its Chinese rival search engine Baidu and another local company DDMap. They account for more than 50% of the market.

Google may have trouble obtaining a licence from the regulator because all its mapping servers are based outside China and the new rules require providers to keep servers storing map data inside the country.

Google may have also have difficulties to get the license since it already failed to negotiate with Chinese government about censoring search engine results in China which led to the redirection of Google.cn to Google.com.hk.

Nokia China also announced its interest in getting a licence for its Ovi Map service.