News19,135 Articles

April 23, 2009

ICO won't ban Google Street View

Service only offers small privacy risk

Carrie-Ann Skinner

Following its rejection of a complaint by Privacy International, the Information Commissioner's Office has said that Google's Street View should not be banned in the UK.

Google Street View - an add-on to Google Maps and Google Earth that offers photographs of streets and cities - launched in the UK last month.

However, the service was criticised at launch after it was revealed it provided access to a number of inappropriate images, as well as photos of passers-by whose faces weren't blurred out, despite promises by Google.

In its response to Privacy International, the ICO said banning the service would be "disproportionate to the relatively small risk of privacy detriment".

David Evans, the Information Commission's senior data protection practice manager, told the BBC: "In the same way, there is no law against anyone taking pictures of people in the street as long as the person using the camera is not harassing people".

His comments were in reference to the Google Street View Car, which travels through UK towns and cities photographing streets for the service.

"In a world where many people Tweet, Facebook and blog, it is important to take a commonsense approach towards Street View and the relatively limited privacy intrusion it may cause," he added.

PC security advice

Broadband speed tester

See also: Milton Keynes residents halt Google Street car

Free whitepaper: Phishing for victims - Truth, myth and cybercrime

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan
Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now