Google Street View ‘Privacy Blockade’ in Broughton (UK) Backfires?
Written by Christian Milsom on April 3, 2009 · Filed under Internet, Tech
Google Street View in the UK is nothing if not controversial: while most see it as a wonderful harmless novelty that allows them to have a better idea of where they are going on trips others see it as an infringement of their privacy (despite the fact that faces and number plates are blurred) and feel that it encourages crime.
But a village called Broughton in Cambridgeshire have decided to take it into their own hands, literally. Evidently agreeing with the second of the two main views they decided to make a human blockade around the Google Street View car when it was spotted cruising around meaning that it could not drive in and take photos of Broughton forcing it to drive away.
But good as this idea was they have invoked the wrath of the internet community – and more specifically the fans of Google Street View UK who have encouraged each other to do what a car cannot, actually walk in and take photos themselves before posting them online, and who have managed to mobilise themselves very rapidly through the use of Twitter amongst other social networking sites.
Some have even taken it one step further by also indicating (in a tongue-in-cheek way) on the photos where would be good places to ‘burglars to strike’ making a mockery of the main problem that the locals had: that it would be a ‘burglars dream’. Obviously this attention is the exact opposite of what the villages wanted, and you can’t help but thinking that they are pretty annoyed.
Whilst this may seem like an amusing story (and over-reaction) it does re-raise some serious points on how much of an intrusion Google Street View is, and whether or not it should be allowed. I think I am with the majority of the UK when I say that I don’t see too much of a problem with it – but do people have the right to stop Google taking the photos?
After all it is completely legal, and isn’t something that a single person (with too much spare time) couldn’t do… but evidently some people disagree. This comes at a time that the first wave of Google Street View related court cases are coming through – both those related to people suing Google themselves, and the host of divorce cases that have been filed against husbands found at strip clubs, sex shops and female friends houses; is ignorance not bliss?
Tell us what you think! I know I can’t wait until they do my area (that’s Leicestershire in case anyone from Google is reading this) and I imagine many of you feel the same. So do you think it’s an infringement of or privacy? Do people have the right to stop cars in the street? Or really is this a massive overreaction?
But despite all of this the villagers themselves have achieved nothing apart from highlighting themselves and setting their Village up as a target for criminals and internet bloggers alike.
Via – Daily Mail
Personally I would love them to do my street too…. but that is probably because I don’t live in a fancy place and don’t have much to steal
….. Just an xbox, a 10 year old TV and some personal stuff just in case anyone is planning a hit 
…. I tend to be home after 11 every night but try and leave early mornings, so a mid morning hit is your best option….. Now you just need to find out where I live!!!
You have photographed this private estate who gave you permission. Its an area that is very prevalent to burglaries, your system is another way of helping them. Please remove your street view from this estate SL4 4BQ.
Personally I don’t see that there’s much of a problem to be honest, yes it gives a very general idea of an area, but Google Street View is by no means a live feed (which I wonder if some people actually believe that’s what it is), people can’t see whether you’re at home right at this moment in time, plus it doesn’t really highlight that much in terms of potential security and layouts.
I believe few burglars would actually use this to scope out targets, firstly because burglary is often an opportunist crime and also if a burglar wants to scope out potential targets, they are far likelier to go round a few local areas that they know in person and are familiar with anyway.
I think Google Street View has been hyped up because it is Google, had another company done it, perhaps there wouldn’t have been so much press coverage of it, either way, I still think it’s a very useful system which will eventually be used for more navigation-based uses on mobile phones and sat nav devices.
I don’t see the problem, but then I also don’t see the point.
If someone wants to take some photos of my street and put it on the internet, fair enough – my house isn’t insecure enough to attract any ‘bad guys’ it wouldn’t have before. If anything, perhaps they may notice the alarm (in clear view on street view, but not as obvious in reality) and the fact there’s nothing worth nicking, saving me some hassle.
Simultaniously, what the hell is the point? Who uses street view for anything practical? Google earth is useful, it gives a more useful map for when I need to find somewhere – it’s proven invaluable on many journeys for me – but street view is slow and cumbersome, the perspective is strange and I really can’t see the need. Other than the initial five minutes of “oh wow, that’s my house on the internet” it seems to serve no practical purpose.
Put the effort into renewing and improving the resolution of google earth, rather than these photos which will go out of date just as quickly.
I can’t wait till the images of Bedford come online, some of my friends spotted it driving around so I hope to spot them on it!
One thing about the article – what’s with the extra 100px on the right of the second image which is clearly photoshopped from other elements in the photo?