Police warn Narva River travellers not to use Google Maps

Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has issued a warning to fishermen and other travellers on the Narva River, advising them to avoid using Google Maps for navigation. The app displays a temporary control line that may be misleading and could inadvertently lead users to cross into Russian territory.

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has issued an urgent advisory for anyone travelling or fishing on the Narva River, warning that Google Maps should not be used as a navigation tool in the area. According to the PPA, the application displays a temporary control line that can be inaccurate and potentially dangerous.

The concern is that relying on the Google Maps border line could give travellers a false sense of where the boundary lies, putting them at risk of unknowingly crossing into Russian-controlled territory. The Narva River forms part of the Estonian-Russian border, and any accidental crossing carries serious legal and safety consequences.

Authorities are urging fishermen and recreational boaters alike to use official and verified navigation sources instead of consumer mapping applications. The PPA has not specified which alternative tools should be used, but emphasises that only reliable, officially sanctioned maps accurately reflect the control line on the river.

The warning highlights a broader concern about the limitations of commercial mapping software in sensitive border regions, where geopolitical boundaries can shift or be represented inaccurately. In border zones like the Narva River, even a small navigational error can have significant diplomatic and legal ramifications for Estonian citizens.