Somewhere in Google’s picture archive of UK streets there is now a picture of a man holding up a camera, photographing the moment when Google’s unmarked Street View car captured his London street in a full 360 degrees. How do I know? Because he sent me the above.
But even as Google starts its photo-mapping of the UK’s streets, the BBC is reporting that Google’s activities “could” be referred to the Information Commissioner. Privacy International, a UK rights group, which believes the technology breaks data protection laws, is stirring up a lot of press on the matter, as they are concerned that Google needs a person’s consent if they end up on StreetView. Google says it is trialling a face blurring technology.
Privacy International has written to Google’s lawyers and asked for technical information about this, but wants an answer inside seven days or they’ll pull the trigger on writing to the UK’s Information Commissioner seeking a suspension of the service in the UK.
But it looks to me like the Street View car has already left the garage…
Spotted a very similar car near Knightsbridge on Wednesday, but it *did* have a Google StreetView sticker on its left front door.
I saw one in plymouth with the sticker…how long do the pictures take?
They are in Germany, too!
Just read it in the newspaper.
Someone I know claimed to have seen it in the centre of Glasgow two or three weeks ago.
I spotted one a couple of weeks ago here in Oxford. It was also unmarked, as far as I could tell from the bus window as the car went by.
About a week ago, I saw a Google Streetview car heading down a street in city center Berlin. It had a big Google Maps sticker on the side. We actually saw it go down the street twice. Perhaps it does that so it’s more likely to get pictures without people in them…
I saw one twice in Leeds but I had not my camera ready. The car have a big sticker in the doors “Google”.
The first time it was around Leeds Metropolitan University and the second time (a day later) around Hyde Park.
I saw one in Elephant & Castle going down and up the Old Kent Road last week. It had the Google stickers on the door.
Personally cannot see the problem with it. If you are on the street in public then you are happy to be part of whatever is happening in public, including pictures. I know people will say that it is a commercial enterprise but it is also a public service one in terms of providing a service to the public. Great idea and can’t wait for it to be live in the UK.
i agree! i got photographed in two different places on two different days! what are the chances eh? but i dont mind. im just excited to see myself on google maps probably pulling a silly face (:
Perhaps they could save on face blurring technology and just drive faster.
Saw one in Madrid the other day.
LOFL @ Andy!
@MarkC – ‘If you are on the street in public then you are happy to be part of whatever is happening in public, including pictures’ – that is a rather big assumption.
If you are on the street in public then you are happy to be part of whatever Google has decided comes under the heading of ‘organising the world’s information’. I for one welcome our new Google overlords.
Just seen these guys driving on the mumbles road in Swansea. It had a white sticker on the side, but couldn’t read it as I was driving the otherway.
@all moaning about privacy, or pondering on whether to moan.
I have to say, who gives a damn if Google are taking photos of the streets and you might be the lucky soul with a finger and thumb in one?
Do you ask people at theme parks to photoshop you out of their family album? Or how about one of the thousands of webcams setup in and around your country allowing people to watch?
You aren’t doing anything you shouldn’t be are ya? : )
I totally agree…its just apicrure get used to it you boring people id love to be in one
Pretty sure that this is what I saw way back in January..
http://www.altogetherdigital.com/20080123/google-street-in-golden-square/ (assuming links are nofollowed, so hope you don’t think I’m spamming)
I suggest to try as well StreetView on the website of Fizber to explore city neighborhoods. It feels as if you’re walking down the street:)!
Street view mapping is the only way to find him
BUT WILL YOU FIND HIM ?
He’s out there somewhere waiting to be found.
The search begins…………………..
I got photographed on my way to work walking in Swansea city centre this morning by a Google Street view car!
congrat
We’ve just spotted it outside our office in Sheffield!
http://community.plus.net/blog/2008/07/15/google-streetcar-spotted-in-sheffield/
I saw one in Soho (London) last August – still waiting to see the result!
I also saw it in Sheffield today around lunch time – tried to wave … wonder how long it takes before it’s available.
i think i saw it in nottingham this morning
I guess there is a fleet of them. I saw one of these Astras today at 17:30 outside London’s County Hall on the South Bank.
We seen it drive past our offices in Queen Square, Bristol a few weeks ago…we took pictures as it took pics of us!
You can see our Google Street View Images here!
Saw it in liverpool city centre a few times today!! Unmarked as far as i could see
Camera car spotted in Sheffield S12 4JE
A positive sighting in Norwich this morning (around the Dereham Road way). I followed it for a few streets in the hope that i’m included in Google Maps!!
Just saw the google van drive past me today in Leeds
iv seen this camera car at least 30 times is in Glasgow every day good idea!!!! well we will see
Seen it at woking & sandhurst
Just seen black Astra with cameras and Google sticker in Bursledon, Southampton
“Never mind Google, we have Street Level View already, check out….
http://www.novaloca.com/blog/index.php/2008/10/17/view-londons-commercial-property-in-street-level-view-with-novalocas-maps/
“
Saw one in Oxford unmarked.
I think they are doing a good job of respecting privacy, see this video:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=h7LtTH-pVUk
Just gave mine two thumbs up from my doorway a couple of minutes ago near Bristol.
Was in Hove this afternoon, at around 3pm. Whizzed past me – hope they blur my face! lol
Spotted the black astra with the mast outside a recycling centre in Kilwinning Ayrshire about 2 weeks ago. Its not really a main road so I was surprised to see it there.
seen it 2 days ago in the forehill area of ayr