| Google has recently expanded "Street View" in | | | | to take the millions of photographs necessary for |
| the UK; a feature on Google Maps that allows | | | | Street View, have stated that any images that |
| users to explore areas from a street level. The | | | | cause offence will be removed on request. They |
| UK are the 9th country to benefit from this | | | | also use face recognition software to hide faces |
| feature with other countries including, Australia, | | | | and number plates which the Information |
| NewZeland, America, Spain and Italy already | | | | Commissioner's Office ruled sufficient for privacy |
| having the feature. | | | | to be maintained. |
| Already this function which allows you to see | | | | Google's geo-spatial technologist Ed Parsons said |
| 360-degree views of 25 UK cities has come under | | | | "We recognise that people do have some |
| criticism with some saying it is an invasion of our | | | | concerns in terms of privacy, but this is the sort |
| privacy. However, I'm sure Google should be well | | | | of level of detail you would get from driving down |
| equipped to deal with any issues that arise from | | | | a road, the sort of picture you would see in an |
| UK critics of Street View, having launched it two | | | | estate agent's window." |
| years ago in America and had one couple go as | | | | Despite having a few critics, Street View also has |
| far as to try and sue them for invasion of | | | | many fans such as the Metropolitan Police who |
| privacy. | | | | have been quoted as saying "it [Street View] |
| Google, who trolled 22,369 mile of the UK in order | | | | actually helps track and monitor crime". |