Published: 7 Feb 10 12:31 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100207-25093.html
Google's "Street View" service faces a new hurdle in Germany, with Consumer Minister Ilse Aigner branding it on Sunday a “million-fold violation of the private sphere” and demanding the internet giant get additional consent from people photographed.
DDP/The Local (news@thelocal.de)
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Your comments about this article:
Now, if you were walking down the street holding hands with your mistress, then I can understand your concerns, but the fact remains that what you do in public is likely to be seen by others. Having said that, I'm just not sure what the basis is for complaining.
The street views in the US are generally not sufficiently detailed to really identify anyone, and as a writer, I find them a very valuable research tool. I realize that might not apply to everyone, but think of the number ot times you try to remember what is where. Google simply another provides a way to find out.
However, if you have something to hide and are stupid enough to be photographed in a public place by Google or anyone else, then it's on you for being dumb -period.
Consumer Minister Ilse Aigner I think is trying to make an issue out of nothing. Google already blurs faces and license plates on the service. What does this woman think she is accomplishing? What is this world coming to where people can complain because they got photographed in public????
Seems like we need to grown up some more and worry about other things that are more inmportant...
Moreover, Google is using you to make money. You suddenly become part of a gigantic advertising campaign. I don't want my face published by google. Period.
- 'in public' is a 2-way street and you would like to be able to see those who can see you - so I assume you hate CCTV, amateur photography and home videos also
- google is publishing something to which it doesn't have the rights, namely your image, and benefiting from you even though you don't lose anything tangible in the process
For somebody associated with publishing, those are surprising points of view and not only contrary with US opinion but the opinion of most of the world. The front page of the Local alone is publishing at least three pictures featuring people from whom I'm sure no release has been obtained. For example, the driver of the google car.
The law is always a balance and if public opinion moved further in the direction you suggest and is changed accordingly, I beieve we would be worse off not better. Until that happens, google is acting withing the letter and the spirit of the law and shouldn't be punished for that.
Grow up and inform yourself about what street view really is and how it actually works.
However, that person still retains a reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to the contents of that person's pockets, purse, bags or luggage. That person still enjoys the right not to have his or her image exploited commercially without consent, however.
Therefore, Google's proactive approach to blur identifying images should suffice to ensure the privacy of those persons captured by its traveling cameras. Can the same be said of the ubiquitous CCTV surveillance cameras in use by governments and private industry throughout Europe and North America? Certainly not. The German reaction to Google's cameras is disingenuous and hypocritical.