“Now the mighty Google may very well have put your street, your house, where anyone can see it, on a computer, even a mobile phone. They have been filming down your way from Google cars like this one.” (BBC)
I’m Charlotte Bellis and your watching Newsy.com – that was video from the BBC.
Despite dozens of complaints from residents citing privacy issues, The UK’s Information commissioner has ruled in favor of Google’s street view.
Google street views are already available in 9 countries and hundreds of major cities.
Google’s plan is to cover the entire world.
The BBC has this perspective from the Information Commissioners office....
“It would not be in the public interest to ‘”turn the digital clock back” ...there is no law against anyone taking pictures of people in the street as long as the person using the camera is not harassing people ” (BBC)
However, the BBC adds critics argue the technology is an invasion of privacy.
“Its pretty perverted now isn’t it? Why would you want to?” (BBC)
The Times Online looks at some of the reasons people would want to use the technology...
“It has the backing of tourism officials who think it will help sell Britain, estate agents who that think it will sell houses. Mind you why would you visit a property if you have already checked out the street on a computer and didn’t like the neighborhood?” (Times Online)
Some bloggers devote their time to finding strange images from the street view cameras. Google has removed several images as a result.
Google’s Chief Financial Officer tells The Canadian Press the company is aware of the issues.
“Obviously you need to protect privacy, and you need to work with governments and local authorities to make sure that any concerns they may have, you have to answer to them. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.” (The Canadian Press)
Do you think Google’s street view invades privacy? Have you seen your house on Google?
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