Google Map invades privacy rights
Posted by Celeste Yates on 13 Sep 2007 at 01:26 pm | Tagged as: Hot off the Press
In May, Google launched a new feature to Google Map called Street View. This option allows the average user to see in virtual and “real time” shots of most of the United States, from a street perspective. These options includes features, such as taking virtual walks or tours through your favourite US city, for example New York or San Diego, as well as find restaurants, shops and see interesting landmarks.
When Google was approached about Privacy Violations that their new feature might violate, Google’s spokesperson, Megan Quinn allegedly reported: “This imagery is no different from what any person can readily capture or see walking down the street. Imagery of this kind is available in a wide variety of formats for cities around the world.”
Google reports that their street view feature does not violate any privacy rights, because Google, as anyone, has the right to capture street views. The director of a privacy advocates group in San Diego, CA, Pam Dixon disagrees with Google.
Pam announced that “We’ve never had the expectation of privacy in public areas, but it’s the technology that causes us to re-examine this. Computers have very long memories.”
Currently this feature is only available to major cities in the US, but their neighbour, Canada has already alerted Google that if Street View includes them, it will break their Privacy Act. Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, Jennifer Stoddart, contacted Google requiring information about their plans to expand Street View, as the Canadian Law obliges businesses who wish to disclose personal information about individuals to first obtain their constant.
With Google Map’s Street View, images of close-up views of cities and streets that are in “real time” show real people to the extent that they can be recognised. The images are clear enough to be considered a personal view, and therefore personal information.
Google hasn’t given any deadline or information of whether they will be expanding their feature to Canada, but Stoddart informed the press that if they do, there will be an investigation into the matter that will enforce the Privacy Act of Canadian law.
