Google car in county
Tuesday 7th April 2009, 12:57PM BST.
Shropshire Star reader Ben Jephcott took this picture of the Google car in the Herongate area of Shrewsbury
It’s probably the most controversial car in the country – and now the “Google car” is appearing in a street near you.
Mounted with cameras, it is used by the internet giant to provide a 360-degree view of the country’s highways and byways for its controversial Street View service, which critics of the service claim could help burglars pinpoint properties to target and help plot access and escape routes.
The car was yesterday spotted in Shrewsbury, with some residents so concerned about the security implications they contacted their councillor.
Roger Evans, a Bagley ward councillor on Shropshire Council, said he had been contacted by people in the Herongate area who were “very concerned” that their homes had been filmed without any warning.
Their concerns come after a crowd of villagers in the Buckinghamshire village of Broughton blocked a Street View car from taking photographs of homes last week.
Councillor Evans said: “Several residents have contacted me from the Herongate area, very concerned that their houses have been filmed by Google without any warning.
“With all the stress on privacy and security today by police and other agencies it is amazing that these pictures, which could be a potential aid to crime, can be circulated on the internet without any precautions at all.
“I realise no law has been broken but I think people have every right to be concerned.”
He said Google could have given notice it would be in the area and given people time to “draw their curtains”.
Resident Ben Jephcott said people should have been given the opportunity to move vehicles and prepare for the visit.
He added: “I think it’s appaling they haven’t given any notice to the community at large that they are doing this.”
Gareth Evans, a spokesman for Google, said: “We understand it’s a new technology and people are uncomfortable with new technology. We made sure we built in privacy measures from the ground up.
“We automatically blur faces and number plates and we give the opportunity for users to go on the service and if there’s an image they don’t like or they are uncomfortable with a car or property being on the service they can easily flag it for removal.”
He said Google made its intentions known a year ago that it would be doing this in the UK.
By John Kirk
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I think people need to get a life, does anyone really mind a car carrying a camera taking pictures of a road that can be clearly seen by any passer-by.
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“It’s probably the most controversial car in the country” – only if you read the Daily Mail and other reactionary press that are scared of anything remotely new.
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I got dead excited when i saw it on saturday. I’m gonna be famous!
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It was in Newport a couple of weeks back – no disasters have occured as yet …….
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I don’t know what the fuss is about, if I look at my house on google maps it still show the car I had over 10 years ago so if google street maps are updated that often they’ll be outdated very soon.
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Saw it in Harlescott Grange yesterday, passing a police car and indivdiuals involved in another ‘incident’…. if that is not a clear indication of life in the area I don’t know what is – will love to see that on Google!
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If you have a picture of your property used on Google should you be entitled to recieve money for the use of something you own?
I imagine if I wanted to use images of Man Utd, Liverpool in a business I own I would have to pay image rights to the football teams so does the same apply with property you own?
Does anyone know the legal basis of this?
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haha I think it got me I ran outta the house :) wahey … IM FAMOUS TOO
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I saw it in an area of the town when I ventured out of the wood on Friday.
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Perhaps those above havn’t had their houses burgled?
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In response to ‘idon’tbelieveit’s comment: why were you even in Harlescott Grange if you have such a snobby, uptight view of the place. Would love to know if you’ve ever experienced ‘life in the area’ haha i think not!!
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I think the whole concept is brilliant, it’s an original idea and an interesting project all round. Those that have already had photos removed from the project have probably got something to hide. Obviously, sites that are security sensitive have been removed for good reason. I can’t wait to see my house on it.
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People called their local councillors.
A tribe of middle Englanders blocked the cars path in Bucks.
Wow if this is all these people have to worry about I pity them.
Your house can be seen by almost anybody who happens to be travelling up your street, but a car with a camera on top gathering information for no other purpose than mapping is a breach of our civil liberties!.
Wow that ink they use on those horrid daily papers must be more poisoned or hallucenagenic than I thought.
Get a grip people & take the blinkers off. Better still stop buying the spiteful comics that fill your head full of paranoid bile everyday.
I have been filmed 4 times around Shropshire in the last 3 weeks by this car in the course of my work. I’m not doing anything I shouldn’t, nor do I feel threatened or victimised by the black Astra.
When It all goes live I will look for me in my van & no I won’t demand it is removed to make me feel all self important.
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so thieves are going to use the new google service to plan burglaries and escape routes, will their new sophistication cause the crime rate to increase over personal observation and the use of a map or sat nav. come on – if they are going to be that organised then this google service isn’t really going to be the cause of an upswing in crime.
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“Jet said: Apr 7th, 2009 at 19:15
Perhaps those above havn’t had their houses burgled? ”
Maybe, maybe not – either way, certainly not because of Street View.
Which goes to show, that anyone walking past your house could be a burglar! Watch out! Lol!
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Its interesting that down in Bucks those people that objected to the Google Car were quick enough to appear on TV!
The car can only take pictures from the public highway – as anyone can. It does not help thieves or burglars. How can it? How do they know where to go in the first place? Its not updated that often, so wont show open windows or idiots leaving their car keys by the letter box!
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What is the matter with people! Anybody can take a photo of your house from a public place! What use is it going to be?? Spend time worrying about real issues!
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No law to prevent photograph being taken of private property from a public space, but could be restricted if from a private place like when inside a museum.
Infact you could use an image of Man United FC freely as long as there was no inference, assumed or otherwise, that MUFC were associating with or endorsing yourself or anything that you were promoting with that image.
There are restrictions on taking photographs in certain public places such as Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square and all Royal Parks – its complicated but doesn’t apply to ‘tourist’ photos.
Potentially a course of taking photos of someone could be harassment.
Invasion of Privacy has not been recognised by UK Law but with the EU Human Rights Act (Right to private and family life), photographing could be an invasion of privacy, but the courts are yet to decide.
Taking a photo of someone in a public place is not an invasion of privacy – they are afterall in a public place. Although using a zoom lens to take a pic of someone in a private place would be, even if taken from a public place.
The lack of coherent law in the UK mean that to publish a picture of someone (or something) in a public place or normally visible from a public place does not require consent from the subject or owner, hence no royalties paid.
However if the image of a person is a ‘recognisable’ image, then model consent would be required. Google need your ‘consent’ to publish your recognisable image. You could sue for damages if they do so without your consent but I don’t think you will get rich quick.
The Data Protection Act raises some complicated issues of ‘processing personal data’ which are interesting but Googles offer to blur will no doubt comply with this. However the Act makes exception to material intended for journalistic or artistic publication, again may apply to Google.
Other entertaining law covering photography is found in Anti-Terrorism and Official Secret acts and National Security law. It is illegal to photograph some rare wildlife as well. So if you have Peregrine Falcons nesting in your front garden, your sorted.
But here is how to stop Google taking a picture of your house!!!!!
It is illegal in the UK to take a picture of a Bank Note – so stick a nice big £50 note in your window.
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Excellent news, this will really help me with my job as well.
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I think the whole point here is that:
IF someone takes a photo of “you” or “your property”, as a result of just “being there at the time” say for example, on holiday, or just taking photos of buildings etc for personal interest, then I see no harm in that – It wasn’t intentional isn;t going to be published, and isn’t going to be used for commercial gain.
HOWEVER …
What google ARE doing is CLEARLY for PUBLICATION on a GLOBAL scale, AND IS being done for commercial gain.
As such therefore -I think it is ENTIRELY different, and clearly….. Since Google can’t ask everyones’ permission, then – what’s the answer?
Well ….. just DO it anyway seems to be the case!!!!
Think of it THIS way …..
I run an internet service provider business…
How would YOU LIKE IT if I stood outside your house, took photographs of it, and of you coming and going, along with your family, kids etc, and THEN published it all on MY website, for all to see??
- ME thinks you’d be on to me pretty damn quick to have it all removed !!
But becuase its google … it’s all right then is it?
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Saw it today in Shrewsbury, coming straight for me. The driver stopped and asked me if this was a road! He thought he was going up a track! Canonbury and Ashton Road residents will be most upset!
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@18
Lucy, To stop Google from taking a picture of my house I put a £50 note in my window as you suggested and I’ve just been burgled.
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i saw it last wk going round monkmoor when i was driving past i dont see what the big deal is myself
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Gareth Evans, a spokesman for Google, said: “We understand it’s a new technology and people are uncomfortable with new technology. We made sure we built in privacy measures from the ground up.
If only this was true. I had to contact a service provider this morning regarding google streets about a staff vehicle which did not have it’s number plate erased. This was a sensitive issue and one that could have potentially posed problems for that member of staff.
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Steven said: “I can’t wait to see my house on it.”
Well save yourself the agony of the wait and go out in the street and look at it now.
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20 – askeric.com “How would YOU LIKE IT if I stood outside your house, took photographs of it, and of you coming and going, along with your family, kids etc, and THEN published it all on MY website, for all to see?? ”
If you were outside my house constanlty doing that then laws against stalking would help – google is not parked outside everybodies house with by the minute updates being uploaded. Get a grip man!
I bet Google are rubbing their hands with glee at all the free advertising this new service is going to get – I for one will be checking it out just for curiosity, I never would have thought to goolge such a thing prior to seeing the debate in the media.
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nicknack, lived there all my life, that’s why I have the right to comment……
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TC –
I don’t need to get a grip – the fact is that google ARE taking photographs for commercial gain –
and …..
When, in my business, (Web hosting etc) you see how much attention we have to pay to copyright issues to stop our clients getting sued into oblivion, (where images and photography is concerned) – then I’m afraid that:
Your comment just goes to show how little regard you have, or indeed understanding of, the implications of the issues at stake.
And finally – google DON’T need any free advertising – they are already there as the worlds’ most popular Search engine –
And …. “we” are running many google sponsored ad campaigns for our clients – so i’m very well aware of Google and what it is – thanks.
However -In my considered and professional opinion, …. that doesn;t give Google or anyone else for that matter Carte Blanche to drive around taking photos of everything and anybody.
We have MORE THAN ENOUGH video surveillance as it is in this country …. thanks
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Nicknack, it must be you who doesn’t know Harlescott very well. Place is a crime blackspot. I wonder how much crime taking place the google camera will catch.
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i blame the EU we must ban cctv
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ironic that the CCTV capital of at least Europe is concerned about privacy. I have nothing to hide. People just get offended because they feel think they are expected to be.
What’s the difference between taking a 360 degree photo and walking down the street spinnng round and memorizing something.
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What the hell is all the fuss about? I’m sure if I wanted to burgle a house in Shrewsbury I would NOT look it up on Google first.
Please – GET A LIFE !!!!
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Mint spy -
Two things:
One:
I ALWAYS shudder when someone says (like you said) “I have nothing to hide” –
As if that makes YOU safe, and EVERYTHING alright ? –
….. Try telling that to all the people that have been persecuted throughtout history for their race, religion, or beliefs! Your simplistic comment astounds me!
Two:
Taking picutres like Google iare doing, as opposed to walking down the street and “looking” is VASTLY different!!
Could YOU remember EVERY little detail, place, time, date, faces, names etc ? and THEN commit it ALL to a database that is accessible WORLD WIDE to anyone with a half decent internet connection? I THINK NOT !
Once again – google is doing this for what appears to be commercial gain ( or are they being egged on by the “CCTV” brigade for other purposes?
This really should be the subject of discussion at Goverment level , when only in the news today we read of security breaches as a result of PHOTOGRAPHING Secret documents!!
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Ken Eddy
You said:
“What the hell is all the fuss about? I’m sure if I wanted to burgle a house in Shrewsbury I would NOT look it up on Google first.”
…IF you are going to plan ANY operation, then the KEY TO SUCCESS is accurate information, and the more of it the better.
Look at any military operation etc – and see how much emphasis is placed upon accurate intelligence, and so..
What google is doing is providing a very useful and easy to access database of information that can be used for whatever purpose.
And no one seems to be questioning it from what I can see.
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Mint Spy said:”What’s the difference between taking a 360 degree photo and walking down the street spinnng round and memorizing something” and Askeric said “Could YOU remember EVERY little detail, place, time, date, faces, names etc ?”
Well only only the other night I was walking back from the pub and everything was spinning around me in the street. I can’t even remember swearing at the police men who stopped me, so Askeric is quite right.
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Am I missing the point. You can’t go on google maps and persecute people, can you? I think people enjoy having something to moan about.
Nimbie culture, influenced by some of the more OTT broadsheets I believe.
Do you really feel your privacy is invaded and if so why? Do you feel it’s really goi g to impact your life.
The reason I say I have nothing to hide is because; I’m not breaking the law, my car isn’t parked outside another womens house etc etc.
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its good to see that shrewsbury is keeping up with the rest of the world,its been done in the usa, australia france and alot more places. I love it. If your planning on going somewhere for a holiday you can see what the area’s like.
Try Esplanade, Cairns, Aus. my new home town .
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