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'Close down Google Street View for a privacy probe'
Mark Prigg, Technology Correspondent24 Mar 2009
PRIVACY campaigners have formally complained to the data protection watchdog about Google Street View.
Privacy International said it wants information commissioner Richard Thomas to close down the service for a formal inquiry into the new website which gives users access to photographs of streets across London and the UK.
Google was given permission to launch Street View in the UK after giving assurances it would obscure people's faces and car registration plates.
But the campaign group, which includes academics and lawyers, said it had received 200 complaints from people who had not had their faces obscured on the system. One of these included a woman who had fled a violent partner but was clearly visible outside her new home. Another was from two colleagues pictured in an apparently compromising position.
The ICO said it had received the complaint from PI and would respond "shortly". Privacy International director Simon Davies said: "We're asking for the system to be switched off while an investigation is completed."
Google said: "The ICO has repeatedly made clear that it believes that in Street View the necessary safeguards are in place to protect people's privacy."
Reader views (15)
Clearly information and access to information is dangerous. Let's address the root cause like stopping people from learning to read and write, then perhaps there will be less things for people to worry about.
- Simon, London, 24/03/2009 23:29
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I ask: by what right does Google act which allows it to capture images in Street View? Has it got a deal with government for taxation purposes? If I were to be seen photographing large numbers of properties, particularly of those in high places, I wonder what would happen?
- Brianonthecam, Cambridge UK, 24/03/2009 22:41
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Oh please. These are single images captured around various towns and cities in the UK. There's nothing new about that. There are literaly millions of similar photos, scattered across the internet. All that has changed is the useful way in which the pictures have been organised.
What next, the A-Z will be labelled an 'invasion of privacy' because it shows the location and names of streets?? Absurd.
- Tim, London, 24/03/2009 16:45
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Close down Google Street View you say? Certainly not, as these are only single images captured in time. This is a very highly valuable piece of IT Software that both the public and businesses can use to display specific areas, especially Estate Agents to give their clients a good idea as to areas specific.
If we carry on with PC Correctness at this hideous level, you won’t be able to take even your own holiday snaps in ‘Police State UK’.
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset, 24/03/2009 15:42
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If you don't want an image on google, then we are supposed to ask for it to be removed. My problem with Google is that they do not ask our permission in the first place and who knows what info they have on their users (Pleased to say i've nothing to hide). Google to me is becoming a little too powerful and yes i know i can use other search engines and i do.
- B Matthews, London, 24/03/2009 15:35
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Good to see that the new resident of my former property has changed the curtains. I don't see the problem with this actually, since it's not 'live' footage. If I were moving to one of the cities featured, I'd find it very useful to have a look up and down the street on-line, before bothering to go and look at a property. It would save me £s.
- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK, 24/03/2009 15:15
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Although I think google street view is useful to some, it seems to be another step closer to the accelerating "invasion of privacy". Although it is not live feed, it still gives even more information to those who may use it for criminal activity, such as burglary. I think we can do without such a tool. I am not one for stopping "the march of technology", but I believe it is a step in the wrong direction.
- Alexander, LONDON, 24/03/2009 15:11
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I have been thoroughlly entertained by Google maps, and had a ball looking back at past addresses and areas where I used to live, many years ago, only to see how much London has changed.
I LOVE Google Maps.
- Lisa, london uk, 24/03/2009 15:06
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its not "live" it shows no more than you can see walking down a street therefore if google street view is closed down every human should be blinded, otherwise we are all guilty of "infringing privacy"
- Daveb, london, 24/03/2009 13:17
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Since when did "privacy" extend to public streets. "Two colleagues pictured in an apparently compromising position". Well perhaps they should have been more circumspect. We cannot stop the march of technology because people are behaving in public areas in a manner they would not wish the public to see. It does not make any sense. The google kerbside technology means that if one is thinking of moving to an area in London, it is possible to look at the surroundings, the shops, the transport and make a decision without travelling there.
- Patricia, LONDON, 24/03/2009 12:20
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Hawkins, CCTV footage isn't available to any member of the public who goes on the Internet. If the legal issues involved with Street View aren't looked at, then it will be only a small step to 'Google CCTV'.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 24/03/2009 12:06
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Let’s ban the A-Z road atlases; I don’t want anyone seeing my road.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 24/03/2009 11:58
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It's pathetic. People getting all self righteous about privacy issues over a wretched photograph that is so blurred and indistinct you'd need to be a CSI to make any serious identification of the individual. A man vomiting in the street, another peeing in the open etc. so what. Why do it in the first place of you don't want to be seen doing it. The fanatical human rights and privacy lobby will kill what is a truly brilliant idea.
- John Billam, London, United Kingdom, 24/03/2009 11:18
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I do feel there is a need for this whole system to be looked at in more depth.
If I were caught taking pics of children on the street I'd be in trouble.
The problem with this technology is you don't know how many problems have been created?
- Sandy, Buckingham England, 24/03/2009 11:12
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Really! Wake up and see the CCTV! What do the still photos tell you. Private and state CCTV on almost every street captures video of public activity EVERYDAY 24/7. What next, outlaw photography unless on CCTV? Leave street view alone, its harmless, its already history.
- Hawkins, Dorset UK, 24/03/2009 10:24
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