Data for Georgia was never on Google Maps in the first place

Blame everything or anything on Google!. Some in the media have pointed out that Google blanked out Georgia from Google Maps just as the conflict between Russia and Georgia got underway. These folks in the media never checked out what "Georgia" looked like on Google Maps before the conflict. Well Google LatLong Blog has responded

Data for these countries were never on Google Maps in the first place.

Here are some of the headlines claiming Google blanked out Georgia Maps

Georgia's Google vanishing act
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/9515

Data about Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia removed from Google Maps after military operations began in South Ossetia
http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=86587

Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan disappear from maps
http://parramatta.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/georgia-armenia-azerbaijan-disappear-from-maps/1242067.aspx