Once again a Privacy issue, but as usual Europe has to clear this.

I have used the maps to view orders I have gotten from the web just to verify the business really was at that address location.

we have gotten business orders being delivered to bars were this ends up being fraud but the card details checked out ok so the person had all the information of the card holder to pass our screening.

I can't see what's the deal as long as Google stays out of private properity this is public knowledge and shouldnt be censored

Sometimes I'm ashamed to be European. I wish they would use our tax money to solve real problems.

EU not allowing this would be like telling us we can't take a pic of the Eiffel Tower from the street. I don't see it happening.

EU not allowing this would be like telling us we can't take a pic of the Eiffel Tower from the street. I don't see it happening.

Hmmmm, you should look up the controversy over images of the Eiffel Tower at night.

like telling us we can't take a pic of the Eiffel Tower

Actually the pics of the eiffel tower (at night) are protected by copyright (the lightshow is considered copyrighted)
In Belgium e.g. the Atomium itself is protected by copyright. And many a building is protected by copyright owned by the architect who designed it.

But the problem isn't one of showing buildings, it's one of showing people without having permission of those people.

Now google by far isn't the worst out there by far. There are companies out there who put movies of their cars driving through cities online. You can basically see what people do out on the streets in a movie, you can pan as the car drives etc to really see how people behave in the streets (e.g. you can see people jaywalk).

Sometimes I'm ashamed to be European

Don't be: somebody has to stand up for the right to not have everything you do be a matter of public record. And I doubt the current US administration will lift a finger, so the EU is the best hope for humankind that companies develop some sensitivity to this.

And what about Microsoft live search maps, some amazing detail going on with the 'Birds eye' aerial views.

I do think the resolution quality of important infrastructures should be toned down, what with the state of world terrorism etc.

>>EU is the best hope

ROFL Really? With cameras everywhere? Checking into a hotel in the bloc means Interpol has your passport info, date and time of check-in? And checkout And the E.U. is concerned with privacy?

There was some objection to Google maps by the U.S. government, and by some advocacy groups, but until the public as a whole starts to care about privacy, privacy concerns will be passing concerns and the topic of pub conversations.

Google is big brother.

Desktop - spyware, Gmail - content monitoring, Street level - personal privacy issues, Search - browsing habits recorded, China - support of censorship, etc....

>>EU is the best hope

ROFL Really? With cameras everywhere? Checking into a hotel in the bloc means Interpol has your passport info, date and time of check-in? And checkout And the E.U. is concerned with privacy?

The BIG difference to the US approach within the EU is that we're not concerned about the government looking out on things, but much more worried about companies keeping track of us.
Most of those surveillance cameras are replacements for cops, to allow less cops to cover a much greater area.
Without a court order the hotel would not even be allowed to share information with the local police, let alone interpol who've no police power at all. The hotel might have the obligation to collect who stays with them, but they'll also have the prohibition to share it with anybody (and if they do only with the proper authorities with the proper court order).

Also if you read the quote a bit longer:

that companies develop some sensitivity to this

you'll notice I was talking about companies developing sensitivity to privacy, not governments.

Also if you want to talk about governments: e.g. the US government takes mugshots and fingerprints from all of the visitors upon arrival. Even if you do nothing but visited disney you now have a mugshot and fingerspints on file at the US government.

At least the EU regulators seem to take a stand and at least consider things like this. It seems like in the US, ya just give em enough cash and they look the other way and give everything the stamp of approval.

At least the EU regulators seem to take a stand and at least consider things like this. It seems like in the US, ya just give em enough cash and they look the other way and give everything the stamp of approval.

If I was cynical, I'd say that they were holding out for a bigger 'consultancy fee'/'political donation' etc. I don't have quite the same high opinion of the EU as others on this list. It is getting like the old Soviet Union except run by a bunch of vegetables in Brussels.

Regards...jmcc

Has just launched in Australia this week. There are privacy and safety concerns due to workers in sensitive industries being shown on camera.

The BIG difference to the US approach within the EU is that we're not concerned about the government looking out on things, but much more worried about companies keeping track of us.

What does that have to do with Google Street View? Surely you don't mean to imply that Google is analyzing all those Street View photos to keep track of any people in them?