Re: Google has launched its Street View service in the UK.
Google had made a mistake in exposing the cities’ view and privacy disturbance as well, it would be better if they will improve this…It’s a perfect guide to promote UK’s tourist attraction.
Re: Google has launched its Street View service in the UK.
Google Street View, the controversial website that shows 360-degree street views of many of Britain's cities does not breach the Data Protection Act, the information commissioner ruled today.
Hundreds of people complained that their privacy was breached by the service, which launched last month for 25 cities and towns.
Today the Information Commissioner's Office rejected those complaints but said it would watch Google closely to ensure that it responded quickly to requests for the removal of images that identified individuals.
Google has promised to blur faces and numberplates, but many people have complained that they are identifiable in the photographs.
Scores of pictures, including one of a man leaving a Soho sex shop, were removed the day after the site's UK launch.
In a statement the Information Commissioner's Office said an outright ban on Street View would be "disproportionate to the relatively small risk of privacy detriment".
David Evans, senior data protection practice manager said: "Watch the TV news any day this week and you will see people walking past reporters in the street. In the same way, there is no law against anyone taking pictures of people in the street as long as the person using the camera is not harassing people.
"Google Street View does not contravene the Data Protection Act and, in any case, it is not in the public interest to turn the digital clock back. In a world where many people tweet, Facebook and blog, it is important to take a common sense approach towards Street View and the relatively limited privacy intrusion it may cause."
He added: "As a regulator we take a pragmatic and common-sense approach. Any images of people's faces or numberplates should be blurred. We emphasised the importance of blurring these images to protect people's privacy and limit privacy intrusion. Google must respond quickly to deletion requests and complaints, as it is doing at the moment."
The Information Commissioner's Officer confirmed that it met Google last year to discuss how Street View would be implemented. It was satisfied at the time that the company was putting in adequate safeguards to protect privacy.
Re: Google has launched its Street View service in the UK.
Google shifts to pedal power to map UK landmarks
The problem with using cars to map streets is that there are some places that cars just can't go. Britain's got a lot of dark alleys, pedestrianized areas and footpaths that Google's intent on getting down, but currently can't.
Its solution? Tricycles. The company has built a fleet of street-view trikes which it describes as "a mechanical masterpiece comprising 3 bicycle wheels, a mounted Street View camera and a very athletic cyclist in customised Google apparel".
The company is undertaking a public vote, in partnership with VisitBritiain, to pick which of Britain's monuments should be viewable on the web. There are five categories - castles, coastal paths, natural wonders, historic buildings and monuments and stadiums.
The trikes will be up and running in the UK this summer, but they're heading to Italy first. Italy's got its fair share of monuments too, after all. Oh, and is it us or does that cyclist look a little like Tony Blair? He's got to pay the bills I suppose...
Re: Google has launched its Street View service in the UK.
Re: Google has launched its Street View service in the UK.
Hybrid Mode
