4 years ago media and public made a lot of noise when Google started upgrading their Maps function with 3D or street view - in this purpose they used 360 degrees panoramic cameras at a height of about 2.5 meters attached to cars while driving through city's streets and recording all the action/happening going on that time and later published online. This was at first actually very interesting and positive function brought by “new media” technology where you could admire lots of cities on the world just by entering this Google mode. But soon there were complaints pouring in from all over the world saying that Google’s invading people’s privacy – there were for instance pictures of men leaving strip clubs, sunbathers in bikinis, and people engaging in activities visible from public property in which they do not wish to be seen publicly. Google said that the photos were taken from public property – but they recorded things and actions which were taking place on private property – so their “all-seeing eye” was aimed also there where “it shouldn’t be”.
For instance, in Germany, where the debate on surveillance is tinged with memories of the role played by the Nazis' Gestapo and the East German Stasi secret police, doubts have been raised about the transparency of the project, which Google calls a helpful tool. Critics say it invites abuse. They argue that thieves could use it to identify targets, security firms could use it to pitch sales, job seekers might find their homes scrutinized by employers and banks could inspect the homes of loan applicants.
Google’s argument would be in place if they won’t be making this street view from a higher perspective, above protection walls, fences and hedges which are designed to prevent public insight into private properties.
In my opinion this is a very interesting case of new communication technology (cyberspace) meeting reality laws and social rules (some European countries have laws prohibiting the filming without consent of an individual on public property for the purpose of public display). This example is evidence that borders between “offline” and “online” worlds are blurring and intertwining.
You can check some of questionable photos on this links:
http://www.streetviewfun.com/2009/nice-view-2/
http://www.streetviewfun.com/2007/sun-bathing-girls-in-a-park/
http://www.streetviewfun.com/2009/is-it-hot/
What do you think, do you welcome Google’s doing or do you feel this as invasion of people’s privacy?
Sources:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39302384/ns/technology_and_science/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Street_View_privacy_concerns
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article1870995.ece
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