Search engine giant Google Inc., has confirmed the introduction of facial blurring on its interactive Street View photographic mapping service following a spate of legal wrangling concerning accusations related to instances of invasion of privacy.
Google bows to privacy concerns and adds facial blur to Street View images. Image: Sam_UL/Flickr.
Street View, which is an interactive element of Google Maps, was incorporated into the popular service in 2007 and allows users to view and move through 3D photographic destinations from street level, much as if they were actually there.
However, while the majority of users have been impressed by the level of depth and detail provided by Street View’s panoramas, which are captured by roving, camera-equipped Google vehicles, some have complained that the spontaneous nature of the photography can catch members of the public quite unawares.
Specifically, Street View has photographed people without their knowledge while sunbathing, exiting adult-themed stores, and even urinating in the street, all of which have contributed to privacy advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation nudging Google towards blurring out clear facial images to protect identities while also preserving the effectiveness of the overall virtual-world experience.
Reacting positively to those growing calls for facial blur, California-based Google Inc., has this week announced that is has begun the introduction of a facial-recognition algorithm throughout Street View, which will scan images and add blur where necessary.
Google has said that initial alterations will be carried out across photographic content portraying New York before then gradually spreading to include the other 40 U.S. cities currently making up the Street View portfolio. The whole process is expected to take a number of months to complete.
Beyond appeasing unwittingly captured members of the public and those organisations looking to protect their privacy, Google has said it also hopes the application of facial blurring will also help stave off legal or cultural complaints as it expands Street View’s coverage to include foreign countries.
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