Sep
14
Google Street View Invades Privacy
Google’s appetite for ambitious innovation has been put in check, but not by industry competitors. Citizens around the world have complained that Google Street View, a function of Google Maps that offers 360 degree views of city streets, has invaded their privacy. With this feature, a user is able to “drive” around downtown city blocks and nearby neighborhoods, zooming in and out, looking all around and even up and down, at anything that catches the eye.
To create this feature, Google equips cars with mounted cameras, GPS units, laser range scanners, and even an antenna for detecting Wi-Fi hotspots. The car then drives around the city, taking “city samples.” The ambitious research has spawned some interesting stories, in one instance, capturing a photo of a Dutch boy right before he was allegedly robbed. Authorities were then able to use these photos to arrest the suspects.
In Broughton England recently, the driver of a google car was questioned for nearly two hours after suspicious residents called police. Similar privacy concerns has disrupted the launch of the program in countries throughout Europe who maintain tighter laws concerning privacy and online data than the U.S.. Many countries, including Greece, Germany, and Switzerland, have put Google on hold until they can ensure their citizens’ privacies will be protected.
In one instance, a Swiss politician was photographed with a woman who was not his wife, forcing him to release a public statement explaining that the woman was his secretary.
In response, Google has promised to improve technology that automatically scramble faces and liscence plate numbers. They also ensure that any problematic images reported will be taken down within hours. In Japan, they agreed to reshoot all photos after complaints that shots taken peeked into people’s yards.
