Is Google's Street View an Invasion of Privacy?

Since its inception, Google's Street View in Google Maps has amassed a great deal of controversy over possible violations of privacy. Individuals and groups, such as the ACLU, have challenged Google's assertion that they are not violating anyone's privacy by using street vans to take pictures of the exteriors of private homes and public properties.

At the forefront of this controversy is the issue of photographs of private citizens. These pictures, such as images of women sunbathing and men leaving strip clubs, have been widely circulated over the Internet. In Europe, Google's program faces strict operating procedures, due to laws against photographing people without their consent. However, in the United States issues of privacy rights often conflict with the free speech rights.

Because there is a fine line between free expression and violation of privacy, the wheels are slow turning in addressing the privacy issues that many people are increasingly concerned about.

Crimes, such as stalking and domestic violence, often involve the utilization of technology to find and harm a potential victim. Recently, Google removed images of domestic violence shelters due to the outcry over the potential for GSV use in stalking domestic violence victims. However, having personally identifying photographs and pictures of one's home removed is not so easy.

According to an article on ACLU's blog, Google requires those requesting removal of such images to provide even more personal identification, such as a driver's license with a clear image, proof of residence, and an e-mail address. Requesters must also sign a contract. For many people, law-abiding and otherwise, being coerced to provide such information would prove to be a deterrent.

Google's mission statement early on was to be portal for all information available on the Net. While Google provides many helpful innovations in the field of technology, there has been growing concern from privacy and other advocates about Google's methods and standards. It may prove difficult for privacy advocates to reach an amiable compromise with the company that they will accept, one that will not give Google's competitors an edge.

Even though the Internet and other technologies, such as web cams, are far from new, legislation has been slow to catch up with the crimes that are being committed with such technology. Until the laws are made to catch up with the unethical uses for technology, privacy advocates may have a difficult time convincing Google--whose profits total in the billions--to put the brakes on a product that, while harmful in the wrong hands, is being used by many and increases Google's bottom line.