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Google Faces Street View Critics

Google Maps is an ingenious product and much like Google Earth satisfied many curious minds on a lunch break. With Google Street View, however, the reception has not been so positive. The ability to view locations as if we driving through them has come under fire over privacy issues.

According to global rights group, Privacy International, Google's plans to give users street level images of cities in the UK breaks data protection laws.

Google cars spotted

Vehicles sent out by the search engine giant had been recently spotted in London capturing images of the capital. Street View matches the images (which can include passers-by) to Google Maps, enabling an interactive 'tour' of certain areas.

This prompted Privacy International to contact Jane Horvath, senior privacy counsel at Google demanding more information and threatening to refer the company to the Information Commissioner over privacy laws.

Street View has already launched in the US, though this has not come without its problems. Many have threatened Google with law suits and one town in Minnesota has banned Google from posting images of the area altogether.

Google has been forced to introduce technology such as face blurring and other privacy tools in order to avoid any costly cases.

Privacy technology unreliable

However, Privacy International has doubts as to the reliability of any such technology.

"We've been told by engineers at Google that the technology is not ready to be deployed. In our view they need a person's consent if they make use of a person's face for commercial ends," said Simon Davis of Privacy International.

Google has stated that it would not launch in the UK until it was sure the technology complied with the law.

"We tested the technology thoroughly before launch and I am confident that it finds and blurs the vast majority of identifiable faces and license plates," replied Horvath in a response to Davies published on the BBC dot.life blog.

"For the few that we miss, the tools within the product make it easy for users to report a face or license plate for extra blurring.

"I strongly believe that this type of privacy-enabling technology, together with effective controls for users, is the best way of meeting the challenge of respecting people's expectation of privacy without stifling the development of new products and services that everyone can enjoy and benefit from," she continued.

Street View coming to the UK

Duncan Parry, co-Founder of digital marketers, Steak, thinks that whatever the outcome of this conflict, the UK will receive Street View.

"Anything that makes maps easier to use is great - and that's exactly what Google is trying to do; taking street photos and connecting them with maps to aid navigation.

"But the minute this invades people's privacy a line has been crossed. The debate reinforces the need to respect the public's right to privacy more than anything else. Google will adapt their service to local laws as required, so I can't see Street View not happening in the UK, just changing if required," he said.

However, any action from the Information Commissioner could prove catastrophic for Street View in the UK. Court action is a real possibility.

"It is inevitable that many of the photographs used on Street View will include personal information about living individuals (faces, ethnic origin, number plates, home addresses and other 'identifiables') and if Google is going to use such personal information, they have a moral and legal duty to ensure that the people whose personal information they will be using understand that Google have it, know what it is to be used for and have consented to that use," said Ruth Hoy, partner in the technology, media and commercial group at law firm, DLA Piper.

"Any failure to comply with Data Protection laws in the UK, may lead to court actions from individuals, and/or enforcement action from the Information Commissioner (who has the power to issue enforcement notices). Although Google may feel it has deep enough pockets to deal with individual or even group proceedings for damages, enforcement action from the Information Commissioner could prove catastrophic for the ongoing survival of the Street View service in the UK," he continued.