Google Street ViewPhoto from Wikipedia
Recently I found out about a new feature of Google maps, Google Street View. This tool allows users to see 360 degree panoramic street-level views of certain major U.S. cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas. When the tool was launched in May 2007 it only offered images of 5 U.S. cities; now it shows more than 30. The pictures for Google Street View were taken from a camera on an automobile.
Out of curiosity I went to check out this new feature. I was surprised to find that Lawrence is one of the cities you can see. Almost the entire city is shown. In fact it was kind of disturbing that when I looked up my apartment complex I could even see my car.
Seeing my car initially made me feel like this new tool was a violation of privacy. I found an article in The New York Times expressing the same concerns. The woman featured in the article was disturbed when she could zoom into her second story apartment and see her cat sitting in the window.
The fact that you can zoom in was really what bothered me, but once I tried it I realized that even when you do zoom in the camera gets really blurry anyway. Also, as that article stated Google said, "Street View only features imagery taken on public property." So really anyone on a public street could see the content shown in the pictures on Google Street View anyway. Plus the pictures are only taken once, so it's not like someone could "spy" on you.
Now I think Google Street View is really kind of amazing. It's better than Google Earth because instead of just an aerial view of a city you can look at the actual streets in more detail. I could see the way Times Square in New York looks on a regular day, or even look at the shops on Mass Street. In a way Google Street View does waver on a violation of privacy, but ultimately I think it's just a handy new addition to maps.
I agree, I do not believe this is an invasion of privacy what so ever. Yes, you can argue that you can see into someones house, or see their pets for that matter, but you could easily counter argue. You cannot see inside anymore than someone coming up to your house and looking through the window. I agree that is is simply a neat knew tool and that it should not be an invasion of privacy because it is not invading anyones privacy.
Features like google earth and now the street view are very entertaining to use on a rainy day. I don't believe it's an invasion of privacy because it is showing what is going on in the streets. If it showed inside an apartment complex and your car, then that would be crossing the line. Google doesn't want to be sued so with these features it is really basic. I did use google earth one time, to see my house from the sky and my house was mislabeled, it showed my neighbors house. I don't really think these applications are accurate but they are entertaining.