Google: not all Street View users are burglars

 

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By Dave Stevenson

Posted on 9 Apr 2009 at 12:30

The director of Google Earth and Maps, John Hankes, has rubbished claims that Street View poses a threat to personal property, in an interview with The Times.

He said the product, which has been branded a burglar's charter by the tabloids, was "really popular and people are using it broadly and I am totally convinced that they are not all using it to plan robberies".

Street View has weathered a storm of controversy and curiosity since it was introduced to the UK in March, with Henry Porter of the Observer newspaper describing the company as an "amoral menace", and accusing Street View of "[invading] the privacy of millions and [making] the job of burglars easier." He also described as "gratifying" the case of the inhabitants of Broughton, Buckinghamshire, who blockaded a Google camera car and prevented it photographing their village.

But Hanke defends the service, saying "public debate is very healthy and that is a good thing. The reason we are doing it is because we think it has a lot of benefits."

He also sought to calm fears that Street View could aid criminals. "It is not real time, you can see that there is a red vehicle in front of a house on a certain day. But can you check on Street View to see if there is anyone at home? No, because it is one image taken at a certain point in time."

Users can also inform Google of images they find objectionable or invasive - as proven by PC Pro - but a request from Privacy International asking the Information Commissioner's Office to force Google to suspend Street View is still pending.

Still, Hankes is philosophical. "As a company we may not make 100% of everybody happy in all situations but I don't think you can live your life as an individual or as a company not wanting to step on anybody's toes. We have to chart a course between the benefit that can come from something and adhering to social mores and the law."