Streetside provides a true-to-life view you can explore to get a feel for a place and plan your activities. Travel along
streets, view storefronts and parks, and navigate to destinations without an address (or even street names) by using landmarks
and familiar spots as visual cues. It's easy to see where you want to be, so you'll never be lost again!
Microsoft is committed to safeguarding individual privacy and security.
So as not to interfere with the privacy of individuals, we've developed industry-leading image processing software that automatically
blurs faces and vehicle number plates. In addition, anyone may flag any image they feel is inappropriate or sensitive
for review and possible removal. Microsoft specialists review every request and act quickly to remove objectionable imagery.
A: Street level imagery (a/k/a Streetside) enables users to experience Bing Maps from street level. Streetside supplements
maps, directions and local search. Imagery is collected using a 360 degree camera mounted on an automobile.
A: Streetside is available on the Bing Maps website at and in the maps app on Windows 10. Click the Streetside icon from any map view and you can see where Microsoft has Streetside
imagery.
A: The sensor system mounted on the car provide the ability to capture a 360 degree picture and support the collection of
street level imagery and 3D information. It includes 3 main components:
A: As with all Microsoft technology, street level imagery and Bing Maps were designed with security and privacy concerns
in mind. Specifically, we use automated software and advanced algorithms to detect and blur faces and license plates
to protect individual privacy. This automated software and advanced algorithms were based on years of Microsoft Research
investments in computer vision techniques. We also accept requests to blur or remove images of faces or persons, homes,
cars, acts of violence, nudity and unlawful material. We review every request. Depending on the content of the imagery
we may remove it entirely, blur a portion of it or take no action.
A: We use industry-leading automated software and advanced algorithms to detect and blur faces and license plates. The automated
software and advance algorithms are based on years of Microsoft Research investments in computer vision techniques.
A: Our internal tests have shown that our privacy algorithms and detection rate are consistent with the success rate in
the industry. As with all automated approaches, there is a chance that some images may come through that should have
been blurred. In those instances, we allow people to identify and report to us any published images that may be of concern
to them.
A: We accept requests to blur or remove images of faces or persons, homes, cars, acts of violence, nudity and unlawful material.
Users can file a request through while viewing Streetside imagery via a simple web form. We review every request. Depending
on the content of the imagery we may remove it entirely, blur a portion of it or take no action.
Microsoft has an online concern tool available to users to request to have imagery issues evaluated. The automated process
to report an image concern is as follows:
From the Bing Maps website :
From the Windows 10 maps app:
A: Depending on the nature of the reported image, the reaction time may vary. If Microsoft elects to remove an image, removal
occurs within 30-60 days of receiving the report.
A: We accept requests to blur or remove images of faces or persons, homes, cars, acts of violence, nudity and unlawful material.
These requests will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
