Web Site May Put Property at Risk, Report Says

04/15/2010

Google Street View gives consumers an intimate view of what previously would have been just lines on a map. For some, this view may be too intimate.

A recent report by the United Kingdom-based newspaper Telegraph pointed to one milkman's criticism of the Web site. Gordon Rayner said the depiction of his property on Google Street View played a role in the recent theft of his mountain bike.

"When you look at the photograph, my face is blacked out, the windows of my house are blacked out—but because the garage door was left open, you can clearly see everything in there," he said. "I would argue that they should have blacked that out. It is just an invitation for any criminal to take what they like."

However, a Google spokesperson said that the images available through Street View are no different than those one could get while walking down a street, according to the report, and that the Web site's launch in 20 countries has not contributed to higher crime rates.

Those worried about risks from the website may request that their property is blurred. They may also protect against burglary by purchasing homeowners insurance.

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