Google: Street View Complaints Due to Success
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Privacy, International, Google, Street, View | Themes: The Internet, Business
It seems UK residents are hell bent on thwarting Google’s Street View in the UK. The BBC this week reports that a formal complaint has been sent to the Information Commissioner (ICO).
Google received permission from the ICO to roll out Street View in the UK provided it blurred faces and license plates. Lobby group Privacy International (PI) drew up a complaint which refers to more than 200 reports from members of the public who are identifiable via the service. Director of PI, Simon Davies says the feature has caused “clear embarrassment and damage” to many Britons.
That said, Google’s take on the situation is (of course) a little different. Eric Schmidt weighed in on the situation and said that while the company agrees with the privacy concerns, the reason everyone has a bee in their bonnet about Street View is because it’s so popular.
"We are getting controversy over street view because it is so successful,” explained Schmidt. “It turns out that people love to see what is going on in their local community."
Responding to the news of the filing itself, Google called it a publicity stunt and said the ICO had re-iterated its confidence that Street View did enough to protect privacy.
While some stories about Google Street View are laughable (such as the paranoid community that banded together to drive the Google car out of town), the BBC points out that some complaints are not so trivial. One woman (cited in PI’s report) moved house to escape her violent partner but was easily recognisable standing outside her new home on Google Street View.
To finish on a lighter note, two colleagues complained that they were pictured in a compromising position and were left red in the face when the pictures were passed around the office.
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People really must be board to complain about this. With your face blurred all you can recognize is a headless body with clothing.
If I found myself on street-view I'd be excited, not upset.
*bored (and yes, I am)
It is irrelevant whether it is successful or not. They might as well say Google: Street View Complaints Due to Brand of Tires
It is irrelevant whether it is successful or not. They might as well say Google: Street View Complaints Due to Brand of Tires
what?
i love street view, use it all the time to find where im going, i hope that they expand coverage.
im not sure what with the english, they have cameras on them all the time, the place is like a reality tv show, at least the google ones are helpful getting around.
I have a question about this....
""One woman (cited in PI’s report) moved house to escape her violent partner but was easily recognisable standing outside her new home on Google Street View.""
The violent partner she was escaping from logged into Google and searched every street looking for her? AND got lucky? Seriously... WTF?
It is still an UNNECESSARY technology....period. Which will continue until forgotten.
Someone will always find things that are wrong with services. Some are real concerns, some are not.
These people want privacy eh? Then don't go on the internet - IP addresses can find you! Please don't walk on the streets - others can see you! Don't even think about telephones - what if they have caller ID?
At some point, privacy ends. Looking at a street is simply same as walking down one. I don't see anyone complaining about the person across the street being able to see their face.
License plates and faces? Isn't everything on Streetview blurred? Seriously, everything interesting is either a giant blur or a smear or an 'artifact' mucking up the image. I take better pictures with my cellphone, and that's not illegal (even if i posted them online.)
Someone will always find things that are wrong with services. Some are real concerns, some are not.These people want privacy eh? Then don't go on the internet - IP addresses can find you! Please don't walk on the streets - others can see you! Don't even think about telephones - what if they have caller ID?At some point, privacy ends. Looking at a street is simply same as walking down one. I don't see anyone complaining about the person across the street being able to see their face.
The Us government also knows who you have called and they keep recordings of all calls for a week.. (Fact)
The Us government also knows who you have called and they keep recordings of all calls for a week.. (Fact)
No doubt, It's just wrong!
sry for double post...
I mean keeping the calls for a week is just wrong, not Google. I love the street maps; the only flaw is it will be impossible to keep it updated.
So, just out of curiosity, how would you all feel if this was the government doing this rather than Google?
I have a question about this....""One woman (cited in PI’s report) moved house to escape her violent partner but was easily recognisable standing outside her new home on Google Street View.""The violent partner she was escaping from logged into Google and searched every street looking for her? AND got lucky? Seriously... WTF?
I think it was a case of her searching for her own house, seeing herself outside and then complaining that if he tried to find her, he might be able to.
wow...QQ more?
So, just out of curiosity, how would you all feel if this was the government doing this rather than Google?
They aren't?
Spy satellites, hello...
There is NO WAY that I will believe the government hasn't had stuff like that for years..
google is evil
It is still an UNNECESSARY technology....period. Which will continue until forgotten.
What? I use it all the time to find where i'm going around my city. Street names are fine and everything, but i'm a visual person and need to see landmarks so i don't miss a turn.
Besides the search engine itself, Street View is the most useful thing Google has put out.
I saw your mom on street view...
...turning tricks
ok, this couple "colleagues" supposedly are in a "public" street in a "compromising position" and they have the gall to complain about it????? WTF
This whole 'blurring out' thing gets a bit old. I'm at the point now where something blurred out makes me actually NOTICE it and try to figure out what it is...
Holy crap... is that rapper on MTV wearing a Coke(R) cap or is it a McDonalds(R) cap?
This whole 'blurring out' thing gets a bit old. I'm at the point now where something blurred out makes me actually NOTICE it and try to figure out what it is...Holy crap... is that rapper on MTV wearing a Coke(R) cap or is it a McDonalds(R) cap?
By law that have to do that.