Tech Support Chips Apple Mobile Games Gadgets Software The Lounge Geek.com Stuff
Search

Google Street View facing privacy issues in Japan

by Matthew Humphries posted on December 22, 2008 10:16 am



Google’s Street View continues to add to the locations it has available to view at street level, but one area of the world may get no coverage at all.

Japan, with its relatively strict privacy laws, has a growing contingent of people against the use of Street View. Google has the service available in twelve Japanese cities right now and likely intends to expand to further locations in the region as it is doing around the world.

The opposition to Street View in Japan has now gotten to the point where it is being seen as an invasion of privacy and a group of journalists, professors, and lawyers have decided to take action. A petition was sent to Google Japan last week demanding that the search giant turn off the service.

Google blurs the faces of people who form part of its Street View captures, but the opposition in Japan is based on privacy infringement for areas, not just people. In the petition the group state that Street View:

constitutes violent infringement on citizens’ privacy by photographing residential areas, including community roads, and publishing their images without the consent of communities and citizens (and) more easily, widely, massively and permanently than ordinary cameras and surveillance cameras do.

Read more at the AFP article

Matthew’s Opinion
When you think about it who does Street View really benefit? I am not questioning the importance of mapping the globe and offering us better information when trying to find destinations, but does Street View really help?

This isn’t the first time the privacy issue has been brought up with regards to Google’s mapping service. In August this year their photographers were accused of virtual trespassing by entering private roads and taking pictures.

So what do you think? Would a picture of your street and your house be ok on Street View? What about if you were visible in the house, but your face was blurred out? I think displaying locations of interest in major cities is great, but beyond that I think you have to ask the question why?


Posted in: News Tagged: , , ,

3 User Comments | Comment Feed | Add Your Own Comment

1 Unregistered (Jason) @ Dec 22 2008 12:12pm

I don’t see how having photographs at street level is a privacy issue… if you can walk or visit there, then there is little difference.

2 hodar @ Dec 22 2008 2:18pm

At issue is the aspect of ‘Commercial Good’.  Simply being in a public place, does not make your image public domain.  For example, without regard to your physical attributes, gender or mode of dress - I can NOT go to the beach and take your picture; then place it on a billboard as an advert for Weight Watchers.  Whether you are a male/female, skinny or fat, athletically toned or flabby - using your image for commercial gain is illegal.
 
Now, you may be mowing the lawn in your ratty T-shirt and a torn pair of shorts with your butt hanging out- do you want that image used to taunt you by your co-workers, family or friends?  You may be in a tuxedo on the way to pick up your super-model prom date - again, don’t you think you should have a voice as to availability and distribution of this image?
 
Just because you are on the street, does not mean you are ‘public domain’.

3 Unregistered (Jason) @ Dec 22 2008 5:51pm

What if google was somehow able to crop out all of the people… entirely?

Comment on this Article



View Our Posting Guidelines

  • Share This
  • Email a friend
  • Print





Recent Forum Talk Add A New Topic

Reply

want to know if an IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive will be compatible with my comp

1 hour ago awesomeo

I think it should work... | Read More »

Reply

Computer bypasses switch control

3 hours ago awesomeo

The system board is wh... | Read More »

Reply

DVD to iPhone Converter Review

10 hours ago ahmadmina

There is a free downlo... | Read More »

View All Forum Talk »

Shop Geek.com Go Shop

Receive Site Updates:

More Feeds