Privacy issues regarding the publication of a person’s photograph without their explicit permission have been debated for years. Newspapers, Internet sites, and magazines are all faced with difficulties when it comes to publishing photographs in which bystanders are visible and recognizable. Different countries have laws dealing with these issues and fortunately, most places are pretty strict when it comes to personal privacy. In general, photographs in which bystanders are caught in their private lives and are recognizable are not permitted to be printed or distributed without the individual’s consent. Yet, in many situations privacy regulations are disregarded. It is this very concept that is troubling many privacy advocates who are in opposition to Google’s latest technological marvel.
Late in May, Google launched a new application properly titled [Street View] (http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/). As many of you may or may not know, Street View is an extension of Google’s overhead map service that offers full 360 degree panoramic scenes (taken from a special camera device attached to a van) of large cities including San Francisco, Las Vegas, and New York. At its core, Street View permits full navigation of cities from the street level. The buildings, street signs, cars, etc. are each represented accurately from all available angles and while this seemingly handy tool has its benefits, privacy advocates are in high protest to Google’s potentially obtrusive Street View application.
The main controversy arises from the fact that people are photographed and placed on Google’s Street View service unbeknown to them. So far, various embarrassing and potentially socially threatening actions have been captured, including a disturbing photograph of a man urinating on the road side and a lady accidentally revealing her undergarments while getting into a truck. But these are just a few of the many Google endorsed privacy invasions. License plate numbers are shown to the world, addresses of apartments and homes are broadcast publicly, and plenty of people are recognizably photographed outside their offices and homes. Many fear that people’s private actions could end up on Street View and others fear that criminals could use the service to associate people with their addresses and vehicles to plan robberies or stalk their victims. At this point in Street View’s short career, it certainly appears that privacy advocates will continue to argue that Street View is simply too invasive. However, due to the outcry, some clearly offending scenes such as the ones mentioned above have since been taken down by Google.
Google, along with those who support Street View, retaliate to these accusations claiming that the photographs taken are no different that images that could be captured by any individual with a camera. Others support the Street View service claiming that it comes in handy when scouting out new areas of the city, finding restaurants, and even locating new places of entertainment. Many argue that it’s a lot more convenient to use Street View to determine whether or not a specific night club is in a safe part of town than to drive or walk there. Despite obvious privacy issues, Google’s Street View is loaded with various time saving and convenience features.
In My Opinion
I have to admit that I was pretty amazed when I first visited Google’s Street View. The high resolution images and outstanding navigational abilities of the application shocked me and, like many, I was soon overcome with disgust. It is my opinion that Street View is simply way to invasive and obtrusive. I’m a huge advocate for individual privacy and believe strongly that Google’s Street View crosses the line between accidentally capturing someone at a gas station pump in the background of a newspaper headline image and blatantly publishing personal information (license plate numbers, address, etc.) of people without their consent. My original fascination with Street View was soon banished and I joined the ranks of the millions who are opposed to this profound privacy breech by the ever-so-popular search engine service, Google.
The PCMech.com weekly newsletter has been running strong for over 8 years. Sign up to get tech news, updates and exclusive content - right in your inbox. Also get (several) free gifts.
When speaking of privacy, I agree with your opinion that the application is somehow invading the lines to privacy. But stated with its benefits, I guess it can also help. However, the coverage should not be that particular like focusing on plate numbers, addresses, etc. The application should not be that focused. I mean, I guess there’s a way to change its settings like when you view something from the application, all you could see are the people in general – not like what is mentioned like sceneries of a man urinating and a woman accidentally showing off her undergarments while getting into a truck.