Google Street View concerns

Google's plans to bring Street View to the UK could be referred to the Information Commissioner over privacy protection.

The tool, which is part of the Google Maps application, has already been launched in the US and matches locations to maps.

Images are captured using Google's Street View photography cars, which have been spotted in London in the last few days.

At stake is the issue of privacy as passers-by are also captured as the photographs are taken.

A spokeswoman for Google confirmed to Web User that Google is currently taking photographs so as to be able to bring Street View to Europe.

"Our users have been asking for the service ever since we launched in the US and we are very excited about bringing it to Europe. Soon people from all over the world will be able to explore the beautiful cities of Europe right from their desks," she said.

However, Privacy International, a global rights group based in the UK, does not share Google's excitement. It believes the technology breaks data protection laws.

Privacy International has written to Google to ask for information about the system. If this information is not forthcoming within the next seven days it will ask the Information Commissioner for a suspension of the service in the UK.

Responding to these anxieties, Google told Web User that the service will not be launched in the UK "until we are comfortable Street View complies with local law, including law relating to the display of images of individuals".

"We will use technology, like face-blurring, and operational controls, such as image removal tools, so Street View remains useful and in keeping with local norms wherever it is available," the Google spokeswoman added.

http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview
www.privacyinternational.org