I think it's safe to say as an individual, we like to maintain a certain degree of privacy, especially when it applies to our home and what is considered to be defined as “Private Property”. With that said Google now has a new application also known as Google Street view associated with the Google Maps application. Google Maps extends an option to all public users to search and capture directions to residential and business locations on a virtual map to ensure a positive commuting experience. While some May consider Google Street View a great advantage, others may consider it to be a safety and privacy concern and seek methods for immediate removal.
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| Google Maps |
While many of us may not be aware of Google’s efforts in cataloging this information, it applies to all everyone. If you’re a land owner, rent, own a home, or business it is imperative to be mindful Google by default has it on their radar, publicly, giving users the option of zoom in and zoom out of aerial views of your property lot from anyplace, anytime, hour of the day…. Although Google suggest they are not real-time images, they are public. In the past it was not uncommon for Google publish faces, license plates, cars or homes.
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| Google Maps Street View Zoom Image |
As a result of many complaints, Google Maps recently refined their Street View feature with a new blurring facet. Unfortunately this technology Google is using only applies to license plates or individuals included in the street view, unless otherwise noted, exposing all other the elements of the image on Google Maps.
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| Google Maps Aerial Zoom Image |
In order to remove your image from Google maps street view you must locate it. This can easily be achieved by visiting Google Maps website page and entering your address in the search box. You will immediately see an image in the search results. To the right of the screen you will see another image labeled street image. Click on it then drag you mouse around and notice the aerial view. You can focus, zoom and etc. After you identify the concerned Google Street View with the red dot, see the bottom left of the concerned map screen, and look for the faint “Report a Problem” link. Then click on it. Then you can report the bad view.
Google will take action in a report that a face that has not been blurred, an identifiable photo of your face or your child face, your legible license plate that has not been blurred, a picture of your car, your house, inappropriate offensive or NSFW images, bad image quality, security concerns etc.
