South Korea approves Google bid to export high-precision map data

South Korea said on ​Friday it had approved ‌Google’s request to export ​the country’s high-precision ⁠map data to overseas servers, a major reversal after ‌two decades of rejection that clears ‌the way ‌for ⁠the U.S. tech giant ⁠to enter a market dominated by local apps.

South Korea ​is ‌just one of a few countries where Google Maps does not function ‌properly.

Seoul had shot ​down Google’s previous bids in 2007 ⁠and 2016 on national security grounds, citing ‌risks that detailed map data could expose sensitive military and security facilities in a country that remains technically ‌at war with North ​Korea.

The decision comes amid pressure from ⁠the United States on South ⁠Korea to address what Washington ‌views as discrimination against U.S. tech companies.