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Australia has asked Google to remove photographs from the top of the indigenous sacred site, Uluru.
The mapping tool allowed users to appear to walk on its top.
In 2019, Australia closed Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, after a decades-long campaign by indigenous communities to protect it.
Parks Australia, which is responsible for the national park where Uluru is located, said Google images contain photographs of the holy site, effectively defying the ban.
“Parks Australia … requested that the content be removed in accordance with the wishes of Anangu, the traditional owners of Uluru, and the guidelines of the national park,” said a spokeswoman for the governing body.
The Anangu people, traditional owners of Uluru, have called for the climb to be closed since 1985, when the park was placed in indigenous hands, due to its spiritual significance as a route taken by their ancestors.
Google did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment, but a spokesperson told local media that the company removed the images.
“As soon as Parks Australia raised concerns about this user’s contribution, we removed the images,” a Google spokesperson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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