Google Addresses Privacy Issues on Street View
Will Spencer
May 16, 2008
Google begins testing face-blurring technology for its Street View option. Street View is a feature that gives users a 360° view of selected cities. The street view feature was launched in May 2007 as an addition to the Google Maps application.
Google launched a computer algorithm that can detect human faces. This application will check the Street View database for images. Any faces detected by the program will automatically be blurred.
This move was made by Google amidst security and privacy concerns over Street View. Street View is made up of pictures that were taken of an entire area. The images often include random shots of people and private residences.
The Street View option is now available for select areas in 33 states. Cities that have the street view option will have an icon placed on the map. If a user activates this option, a panoramic view of the city will be launched. The user has the option to take a simulated walk down a street, look at landmarks and points of interest or search for specific locations.
Most pictures were taken coming from a moving vehicle. People that were captured by the images were not aware that their picture was being taken. This has led to concerns that a person´s image would be used without their knowledge or permission.
The technology being tested by Google hopes to address this by making images of people unidentifiable. However, the process may also detect human faces found on statues and billboards. Blurring human faces on statues and billboards would take away the realism of the Street View application.
A couple living it Pittsburgh filed a lawsuit against the company in April 2008. Aaron and Christine Boring found pictures of their home on the Street View feature. Their claim states the pictures were taken illegally because their residence is located on a private road. The Borings are requesting for $25,000 in damages for mental suffering and the perceived devaluation of their property. They also want Google to take down and destroy the captured images of their home.
Since the application was released, Google has strived to quell the concerns about its use of unauthorized images. Aside from blurring faces, the company also blurred captured images of license plate numbers. The company claims the pictures were taken in the public domain and is still within their legal rights.
There are currently 43 areas that can be accessed using Street View. The feature was first available for the cities Las Vegas, Miami, Denver, San Francisco and New York.
Google launched a computer algorithm that can detect human faces. This application will check the Street View database for images. Any faces detected by the program will automatically be blurred.
This move was made by Google amidst security and privacy concerns over Street View. Street View is made up of pictures that were taken of an entire area. The images often include random shots of people and private residences.
The Street View option is now available for select areas in 33 states. Cities that have the street view option will have an icon placed on the map. If a user activates this option, a panoramic view of the city will be launched. The user has the option to take a simulated walk down a street, look at landmarks and points of interest or search for specific locations.
Most pictures were taken coming from a moving vehicle. People that were captured by the images were not aware that their picture was being taken. This has led to concerns that a person´s image would be used without their knowledge or permission.
The technology being tested by Google hopes to address this by making images of people unidentifiable. However, the process may also detect human faces found on statues and billboards. Blurring human faces on statues and billboards would take away the realism of the Street View application.
A couple living it Pittsburgh filed a lawsuit against the company in April 2008. Aaron and Christine Boring found pictures of their home on the Street View feature. Their claim states the pictures were taken illegally because their residence is located on a private road. The Borings are requesting for $25,000 in damages for mental suffering and the perceived devaluation of their property. They also want Google to take down and destroy the captured images of their home.
Since the application was released, Google has strived to quell the concerns about its use of unauthorized images. Aside from blurring faces, the company also blurred captured images of license plate numbers. The company claims the pictures were taken in the public domain and is still within their legal rights.
There are currently 43 areas that can be accessed using Street View. The feature was first available for the cities Las Vegas, Miami, Denver, San Francisco and New York.
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