Google launches Open Data Platform to share data about Natural Disasters

Google Inc launched an open data platform yesterday to share information on natural disasters in Taiwan [and elsewhere] such as typhoons and floods, with the aim of building the country into a model area for the cloud computing-based system. Taiwan is the second Asian country to adopt the platform in partnership with government authorities after a similar launch in Japan in March this year, Google Taiwan managing director Chien Lee-feng said.

“This represents Google’s commitment to Taiwanese users and shows the government’s efforts to release open data and build a more localized crisis response system,” Chien said at a press conference to announce the platform.For example, when a typhoon strikes Taiwan, people will be able to access the platform through Google Maps or Google Search services on computers or mobile devices to find information such as the typhoon path, affected areas and nearby places of refuge.

Users can also share disaster information on social network sites such as Facebook or Google Plus, Google said...