On Sunday, a report published by Le Journal du Dimanche (in French) caused quite a social media storm over in France, as it suggested that the use of realtime social networks could ‘undermine the integrity’ of the upcoming presidential elections and even potentially lead to straight-up cancellation of the election.

The author of the article asserted that using Twitter, Facebook and other realtime social networking and information distribution channels to spread exit poll results before the voting stations close on Sunday April 22 (first round) is against French election laws, which traditional media must abide to avoid getting fined.

Under current rules, French media are prohibited from publishing polls or exit poll results between midnight on the Friday preceding election day until all voting stations have closed on Sunday, in order not to influence voters with early results.

The problem is that France’s polling commission has publicly stated that social networks like Twitter and Facebook fall within the legal definition of ‘media’, which means that the law applies to those services as well.

Considering that the last presidential elections in France were in May 2007, when Twitter and Facebook were still in their infancy, this wasn’t an issue until now.

Franck Louvrier, head of communications for current French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, told Le Journal du Dimanche that “there is a very real risk here” and that they are “facing a media environment that has no limits”.

No word on how social media can also benefit them.

While we’ve known for quite some time that the Earth isn’t flat, it doesn’t make this display any less impressive.

In 2009, Google debuted a technology called “Liquid Galaxy” that was able to display a Google Earth map on a whopping eight screens. At the time, that was insanely impressive. Three years later, that modern marvel has been wiped out thanks to this display in Paris, which includes 48 screens.

Here’s what the Google LatLong team had to say about the feat:

Late last year, the Paris Center for Architecture and Urbanism: Le Pavillon de l’Arsenal, approached us asking if they could use Google Earth to power a new interactive display highlighting the Paris metropolitan area in 2020 with upcoming buildings in 3D. Naturally, we were excited about the project, especially when they shared that the display would be 40 square meters – posing a fun and unique challenge.

A year later, we are excited to share that the first 48 screen Liquid Galaxy is now on display in Paris. We believe this to be the largest screen showing Google Earth to date!

You have to see it to believe it, so watch the video below showing the assembly of this beast:

Think you can do better? Google will be open sourcing the technology behind this project, so that you can take a stab at making the world’s largest display of Google Earth. Do I hear fifty screens, anyone?

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