Google Wins Street View Privacy Case

Guardian:

An American couple who attempted to sue Google over what they claimed was its "privacy invading" Street View technology have lost their case in a Pennsylvania court.

Aaron and Christine Boring brought their case against the online search giant in April, accusing it of privacy violation, negligence, unjust enrichment and trespassing for showing their home in the Street View feature, which adds 360-degree street-level photographs to Google's world maps. They were seeking more than $25,000 (£17,400) in compensation and damages.

Read the whole story: Guardian

Comments

[maxfax]

Will make it easier for burglars to size up communities and their values, type of vehicles, and access.

This could expand the industry.

[westreal]

Good. This is a useful tool when you're dealing with evaluating property and other statistical information.

[harriettubman]

There is no PRIVACY any more. Put up curtains to your windows and keep what privacy in your home you can. Other than that, we have no rights in this country. Look at Rihanna's evidence picture on the internet yesterday. You can find anyone in the country on zabasearch.com and for a fee get all of their personal information. It's just insane!!!

[RealHRCFansVoteObama]

I think this couple's problem is their lawyer should have been arguing how the photo(s) is/are being used. Google could conceivably claim that the StreetView feature is news, but it is being used to promote Google. Any commercial photo needs to have the proper releases. Google's contention that homeowners can asked to be removed is irrelevant. Once an image is out there, it's out there for good.

Also, the picture looks as if the photographer were standing on the lawn of the property, meaning he/she may have been trespassing in order to make the photo. Does the law now protect against that?

[MadMoll]

I would imagine they were trespassing, since it's the backyard.

[TheBlackCat]

I used to live in Europe, and what I disliked the most is the fact that there are video cameras EVERYWHERE. I know the whole "you only need to worry if you're doing something wrong" argument...but it still creeps me out. Come on, we all do things we don't want people to see, things we wouldn't do if there were others around, whether it's picking a wedgie or fighting with your spouse or taking a pee behind a tree. I don't like the idea that the ONLY safe place is your home, that once you step out the door...someone's watching. The google thing may not be in real time but still, I don't like the idea that we can just be watched from above, I don't like the precident it sets, I certainly don't want surveilance in non rural America to be what it is in Europe.

While in London, a friend of mine was approached by a police officer, who told him that he had just been pickpocketed, they had aprehended the pick pocketer, and retrieved my friend's wallet before he even realized it had been stolen. When I asked my friend about it, he said he certainly realized the advantage to such vigilent surveilance, he benefitting from it directly....but he said he was more creeped out than relieved, and I had to agree. I personally would choose less security over a Big Brother watching me any day of the week.

[harriettubman]

Try telling that to someone who lives in a dangerous area. I'd bet they'd prefer the cameras.

[ThinkCreeps]

Yeah yeah... if you don't like people looking at your house then build a fence.

[Checquoline]

Actually the satelite view shows your yard from overhead. And if you are in a lawn chair it shows you too.

[westreal]

And if you're sunbathing nekid, wave to the sky and scream hello, Google!

[harriettubman]

And what about the pictures on Myspace or Facebook? People posting that stuff will end up on porn or pedophile sites. SMH, take it down.

[Bettysdad]

Photographers can legally take a picture of anything they can see from the street, including you standing naked in your window.

Street view doesn't show anything you can't see walking down the street.

[RealHRCFansVoteObama]

As a photographer I can tell you if they want to use it commercially (and Google could debate whether or not their StreetView service is commercial or editorial), they have to obtain a property release for the house and model releases from everyone in the photo.

[AnotherMike]

SO funny that now the 'street view' of their house is the article illustration!

I'll admit, when I saw my house on street view and my car was for some reason in the driveway, I was a little irked... But honestly, there are millions of homes on Google earth. What makes me special?

Nothing. I'm just another house on this giant planet that will most likely never have anything exciting happen to it. Ever. I get it now.

[Hieronymous Bosch]

Never though I would say this but ... Google is getting boring!

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

Like it or not...Big Brother is watching you. You gave him permission after 9/11.

[ZellaBee]

Yep...... and all for a false flag attack.

[onenvrnos]

Well, I see the Boring point here.

[Lionsden]

I hope that eventually Google will lose the power to do this. It should be forbidden. The world is too dangerous a place anymore. (I could be snide and say especially since democrats are in power). But I won't.

[OhioObamaVoter]

I completely agree! (but it will never happen)

[OhioObamaVoter]

Not about the Democrat part of course!

[CosmicSpaceTurtle]

Well, it's usually Democrats and liberals who fight for privacy rights, so I don't understand your snide remark. Republicans are the ones who favor corporate rights over personal rights, Republicans are the ones who sacrifice privacy for safety, Republicans are the ones who most continuously espouse views along the lines of "If you have nothing to hide what are you afraid of?"

[logic63]

This is an invasion of privacy not a get rich quick idae. What about people who are trying to get away from abusive situation, even safe houses aren't safe.

[glaze]

And so, yet another pathetic attempt at GETTING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING bites the dust...