Coca-Cola factory in Taiyuan, China. (STR/AFP/Getty)
This week maps are dangerous business. On the heels of Google’s confession of a privacy breach in crafting its Street View program, the Chinese government has launched an official investigation into Coca-Cola, claiming the company used GPS systems to “illegally obtain classified information.” Beijing keeps a firm grasp on all map-related activities, because, well, China keeps a firm grasp on everything—but also due to reasons of national security and “political sensitivities” about its messy border situations. Coke says its employees use GPS in some instances to “improve their service” and maintain fuel efficiency. The company is said to be fully cooperating with Chinese officials.
