Due to privacy advocates being unhappy with the prospect of people not being able to remain anonymous (visually at least) on Google Street, the search giant have introduced “face-blur” technology to relieve concerns.

Google Street, a close cousin to Google Maps, allows the interested to click a button to get a street view of the surrounding area. Useful when trying to remember the name of a shop, or to check the location for parking. Of course that means from time to time people get their pictures taken too – which Europe isn’t comfortable with. Strong laws in the EU & in the UK prevent people from being singled out and taken a picture of. Likewise, if you are part of a crowd it is thought to be fair game – it’s just unsure as to how interpretation will play a part. Hopefully with the face-blur technology in place, which is visible if you visit the street views of New York, Google will be able to put the fears to rest and map lots of areas for the future. I personally think it’s a great idea, as long as people can’t be identified – even though I’m sure most of us would be quite happy to be famous on Google!

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Posted in Website by Paul Godden View Comments