Street View: the "privy" in privacy

What responsibility does Google have in terms of your "visual privacy"?

What responsibility does Google have in terms of your "visual privacy"? Meaning, should they be "privy" to the junk that is laying about my yard, the car in my driveway, the cat in my lawn?

I've written about Street View before, almost a year ago. Legally, Google can take photos from any street (thus the rather obvious name -- it's not "bathroom view" or "living room view"). I talked to privacy expert Rebecca Herold recently, and she makes a good case for whether anyone photographing your home is really an invasion of privacy.

She says, first off, that the people who had their home photographed did not provide consent. I know as a journalist that I must obtain consent from individuals and businesses before I start snapping photos. It's interesting because, when the Google vehicle passes by your house, they are recording the home for all to see, whether it is in a perfect state or not fit for public display.

"Obtaining consent to use personally identifying information (PII), such as is represented in many of these images, is a basic privacy concept in most data protection (privacy) laws throughout the world," says Herold, a consultant with Privacy Guidance.

Herold says, if someone uses the Street View images to make a business decision, conduct an investigation, or follow some other legal action, an injustice could occur, not only to the home owner but to those living in the area. She says the visual maps -- which allow you to pan around in a 360-degree angle -- could even be used to plan a crime. I also know that terrorist groups have used map imagery to see airport terminal fuel storage locations.

I'm no privacy expert, but I do understand the variables -- what is legal to photograph from the street is one thing, but whether Google might eventually have to address civil injuries is not as apparent. I'm not sure I want my house being photographed.

"The privacy concerns come into play when the clear and close up images of homes, and all their vulnerabilities and even contents in some instances, are provided," says Herold.

More about: Driveway, Google
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Comments

1

GRiT

Fri 08/08/2008 - 12:33

Google Streetview

I love freedom of information. I see so many personal uses for this new database. I also know that it will inevitably be of even greater use (or misuse) by those individuals or companies that prey on the vulnerability of others.

I believe that most users of this system would automatically be labeled (by your definition) as illegal users because they will be using it for business related purposes. Whether this be your local council, or business engaging in market research, most could not help but to step over that line. In essence we are all being 'investigated' by somebody, even if it is just to see if you may be a potential customer in need of their services, expect a new industry not dissimilar to telemarketers to evolve from this.

This time around it will be true 'target marketing' not simply census statistics, and once people realise the potential of cross matching this with other available resources, expect more calls than ever before.

At-least they won't be trying to sell Aluminium Siding to owners of brick homes.

2

Anonymous

Fri 08/08/2008 - 12:34

to spy or not to spy

This is a fairly well establish law which has been tested many times for photographers. Simply put, a photo of a house from the street is perfectly legal (and ridiculous to outlaw), however it is illegal if unreasonable means are used. An example would be jumping a hedge to get the photo, climbing a tree, or using a telephoto lens from a public street. This leaves one question, it is legal to photograph houses from a street, but is the zoom function legal?
I also have an example of it being a security issue. i work in a camera store, and the back of our shop is clearly visible. We are already changing a procedure due to our back door now being in plain site!

3

Anonymous

Fri 08/08/2008 - 12:36

target marketing

here's one for you already... If I repaired or intalled roofs. I could letter write houses after going along the street!!
scary!

4

Anonymous

Sat 09/08/2008 - 13:56

Google Streetview

I'm always one for advances in technology, being in IT myself, however I also question as to how far do we go into invasion of privacy and where does it start and stop?
I think Google Streetview is clever and obviously uses clever technology, but I struggle to understand who would use it unless it was for the purpose of Market Research, criminal activity or just plain snooping? I'd be interested in seeing some responses on what legitimate reasons there would be.

5

Anonymous

Tue 12/08/2008 - 13:53

Google Streetview

I thought of a legitimate valued reason:
Local Councils can peruse Google Streetview and ascertain which streets need repairs on. They could then prioritise the work according to urgency and get the crew out to work on the repairs.

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