Prompt's TechBlog
Google Street View upsets privacy group.
07 July 2008
Posted by Duncan HeaneyGoogle Street View lets users see photos of any street in a surveyed area. Google has been facing down protests and complaints over the photo-mapping tool as of late. The problem is that many people are unsure as to the legality of what Google is doing. The images often contains people or private property and many question if this constitutes an invasion of privacy. A couple in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania sued Google over photographs of their swimming pool, and now the organisation is under fire from UK group Privacy International.
The BBC reports that the surveillance and privacy watchdog is concerned that Street View could breach data protection laws if people's faces are shown. Google assures people that it will use face blurring technology to preserve the identity of individuals captured in the photos. Privacy International is unconvinced that the face-blurring will work and wants Google to reveal details of the technology. If Google does not comply, Privacy International will ask the UK Information Commissioner to get involved. Google has responded by pointing out that the technology has been deployed in the US already, and it works pretty well.
Personally, sarcastic introduction aside, I don't have a problem with Street View. From what I have seen the face blurring seems to work well enough, and so long as all photos are taken in a public space, then its fine with me.
And not everyone is concerned about privacy, as the woman in this revealing Street View image proves.
Labels: google, privacy, Street View
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