Google launched Street View in May of 2007 whereby allowing Internet users the ability to see street level photos in a 360 degree view of the street. Street View allows you to move the “Pegman” icon on the left-hand side of the map onto streets. Additionally, you can further navigate using the arrows in the upper left corner and rotate the view and zoom. Google’s release of Street View further raised concerns with privacy.
For those of you who do not know me, I am a huge Google advocate and fan. Google Maps has been my preferred mapping utility for years and with Street View I can now see the area of where I’m headed in advance. I use Street View for variety of thing ranging from, exploring neighborhoods, looking at vacation destinations, to looking for available parking for new restaurants and neighborhoods.
One family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, didn’t view Street View with the same advantages that I do. They sued alleging Street View disregarded their private interests when Street View cameras captured images beyond signs marked as “private road.” However, the U.S. District Court for Western Pennsylvania dismissed the suit.
I suggest if you haven’t checked out Street Views you do so. If you would like to report a concern, Google offers a quick and easy way to do so. More information can be found here.
Tei Baishiki
Chief Technology Officer
tei.baishiki@rwnc.net
