Google Maps Street View - invasion of privacy?
 

I see that my brother's ex-wife is having some work done on her house. There are a couple of bundles of shingles on her roof, and a contractor's van parked in front. It's been a year since I talked to her, and I didn't know she was having work done on the place. Hmm.

She's in Palo Alto. Many of their streets have been photographed in detail by Google by vans driving up and down the streets. Also Las Vegas and much of the Bay Area. Not too sure where else.

But I imagine it's coming to you eventually. Want a high resolution picture of your front door on Google Maps? It's just a matter of time.

If you haven't checked it out before, go to the Bay Area in Google Maps and click on the Street View button. You will see people taking their trash out.

not unless you sunbathe on your roof nude. There's no expectation of privacy on the outside of your house.

I agree, outside and privacy don't exactly fit.

OK. So maybe it's not technically an invasion of privacy.

Are you fine with a picture of your front door being on the internet? Are you fine with a picture of you taking out the trash being on the internet for anyone to see with a simple click or two?

I have NO worry anytime soon , another advantage of liveing in the STICKS !!!

Cool. I still think houses like that are only in the movies. I love any opportunity I can get ot see the real America. Invasion of privacy? Nah. I live at the entry to our neighborhood, if I take out the trash in my robe, the entire neighborhood knows. And I don't care. :lol:

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeell doggies. Look what I found...

That there is my LAKE house !!!!
I got me 2 boat moters , AND AC !!!!!!

Good one DUDE !!!

Real Estate people should love this.

I look at maps of property all the time. Haven't you looked for your own house? I've even found a pretty good shot of my childhood home. It's cool.

I'm not really too concerned that someone would spy on me through Google Maps.

Although there was that one time when me and a guy were out on the balcony . . .

Nah. it was dark. :)

Sure... the question is, why are you worried about it?

they're not like constantly taking pictures up there, either. It's pretty random, and there are signs that many pics are old, anyway. The chances of the top of your head appearing outside of your house are slight.

Here's me:

link didn't work, but oh well. I can see my house! (waves)

that very well may be my car there, but can't tell.

I didn't say I was worried. I can see how it's a useful tool. I can also see how it's an invasion.

You have an expectation that people going by your house might look at it for a moment. Maybe even see into a window if it's open. You would call the cops if somebody stood outside your house just looking at it for hours.

I think you misunderstand. I'm talking about the new feature, where they drive in front of your house in a car and take its picture in high resolution and put it on the web.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/interne....ap/index.html

Watch the video.

Peter, Peter, I can see your house from here!

Does anyone know how often the Google earth pics are updated? As I recall many of the high resolution pics are years old. When I look at my neighborhood on it it is at least 6 years old.

It was just updated yesterday but apparently most of the changes were in improving Europe's imagery. Apparently Germany is now the "right" color or something.

You mean half of Germany was still red?

:lol:

This is how they do it. It you see one, moon 'em.

Completely different ball park, merc. That news article is about google's (alleged) lack of respect for users privacy in regards to online information, not their respect for peoples' privacy in regards to taking their pictures.

I consider the controversy to be similar as they show a corprate lack of respect for privacy. The pictures have raised similar questions. Just becaus you are walking down the street or sunbathing nude on the top of your building does not mean that you want your pictures all over the internet.

It turns out that this is no big deal. Google will take your picture down if you ask them. It's easy. [/sarcasm]

They want a copy my identification if they have invaded my privacy? And fast? Hmmm. I must not be reading that right.:(