Journal #8

Google Spy

By: Michael Agger

Google has recently come up with a new idea to send a camera equipped van to take 360 degree shots around the streets of the largest cities in the U.S. Subsequently, this new site is called Street View which allows users to view actual street pictures and in some instances a little more than that. The issue of privacy has been a concern for some people but Google responded by saying that Street View only features images that any person can readily capture or see walking down the street. Moreover, Google provides a page to report inappropriate images that should be removed.

Would you have a problem if Street View took a picture of your street or your house?

I would not have a problem if street view took a picture of my streets nearest intersection but I would have a problem if they took a picture of my house. I would not feel comfortable knowing that the public could view pictures of my house.

What kind of benefits does the site Street View have to offer?

I'm a visual person and there's only so much you can get from using a map. Hence, if I were driving to a specific location, it would really be helpful for me if I could see a picture of the actual location.