Even though many streets of cities in America and Europe have been made available on Street View, Google has only recently begun capturing the streets of Asia due to different privacy legislation. In Japan for example Google received much criticism with regard to privacy and were forced to re-shoot. However, it seems that in September of 2009, Google found a way to reassure Japan of Google’s measures to ensure privacy. Watch the video below to see the stop motion animation.
Some of us might have seen a funny looking car with a camera on top, cruising through a neighborhood while taking pictures. Personally, I had an encounter with a Google Maps Street View Car as well. The first thoughts that went through my mind were: “What is that thing? O, it must be for Google Maps… Oh no, will I be seen as well? How do I look?!”
I am sure I am not the only person who reacted this way. Those who are familiar with Street View know about the “side effects” of this feature. Street View will not only expose the houses to the online public but also cars, people, dogs, and even crimes in progress that were going on during the photo shoots. Have a look at these websites: Street View Fun and Top 10 moments caught on Google Maps Street View
Therefore, you could ask whether Google made enough of an effort to assure our privacy. The web giant does blur out faces and license plates. You could also argue that Street View does not make public of what is already available for the public to see. Although, it has no business in driving up someone’s private driveway to make photographs or to be captured in an embarrassing moment only to be put online for everyone to see.
However, there might be more benefits in using this feature than there are concerns. For example, when you plan a vacation you might want to explore beforehand whether the destiny is worth going to, or if you plan on buying a house you want to explore the neighborhood first. This and more can be done while sitting behind your computer at home which makes it an effective tool to gain the necessary detailed information in a matter of minutes.
To see where Street View is currently available, you can explore the map on Google’s website: Where is Street View available? Feel free to share your thoughts/experience here about this online tool.
Interesting topic. I also think that Google Maps has some advantages, but overall I agree with people (like in Asia) who are concerned about their privacy. I also doubt that Google totally ensures peoples privacy, if you look at the examples (links) you've given. It should have never been published, if you ensure peoples privacy. Blurring peoples faces isn't always enough.
ReplyDeleteFunny video by the way ^^
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