Google starts Street View mapping in UK
July 8, 2008 //
You’ve probably read this already but here goes anyway…
This story is a fine example of why I subscribe to the TechCrunch UK blog by email. Fantastic reporting by ‘Butcher Boy’ Mike (feel free to call him that from now on).
Looks like Google is mapping the streets of the UK prior to getting the green light from the Information Commissioner. As if Google would do such a thing <g>
According to TechCrunch
Privacy International, a UK rights group, which believes the technology breaks data protection laws, is stirring up a lot of press on the matter, as they are concerned that Google needs a person’s consent if they end up on StreetView. Google says it is trialling a face blurring technology.
This type of technology is great for advertising and possibly mobile social networks. However, it’s potentially bad news for privacy advocates. Make sure you’re not caught doing something you shouldn’t be doing.
Gerald Wiggins says 
marco goldschmied says 
Sharon Crossley says 
“Make sure you’re not caught doing something you shouldn’t be doing.”
I wish we could kill this canard once and for all. Even law-abiding people have much to fear from privacy invasion (and that is true quite apart from this case). For example:
Someone who is gay but has not told their family, seen holding hands with their love.
A teenage girl disobeying her family’s wishes by dating someone of a different race.
A woman sneaking to find refuge from a violent spouse (or even just having a crafty walk around the block).
Someone going into or coming out of a rehab centre or AA meeting.
Someone going into a mosque, temple, or church in direct opposition to their family’s beliefs, whose family would seek revenge for such apostasy.
A child visiting an estranged parent behind the other parent’s back.
These are just off the top of my head, example of law-abiding people who do indeed have legitimate reasons for wanting privacy. This is not the exclusive domain of criminals, and the only ones who win from the perpetuation of this myth are people who insists that privacy is a trifling matter.
July 8th, 2008
Street View is a good idea!!! I’d recommend you to look through another resource. My favourite is Street View service on http://streetview.fizber.com/
July 9th, 2008