Tech

Turning the tables on Google Street View's prying eyes in Vancouver

by Mark Pilon on October 8th, 2009 at 3:57 PM
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      I’m sure a few of you noticed that Google was very busy this summer on the streets of Vancouver. They were photographing almost every inch of our city streets for the Canadian version of Google Street View, which launched yesterday (October 7).

      I’ve personally spotted the Google car a number of times, which is interesting because I now assume I’ve been photographed about five or six times by them over the course of a summer, without permission of course.

      Some days I’d be driving my scooter, walking to work, biking, standing on a corner, or driving my car. I took the opportunity to turn the tables and start shooting back at Google.

      This particular split photo (above) was taken while I was driving up Pine Street toward West 12th Avenue. I had spotted the Google car trolling slowly up the street ahead of me. Knowing that I might find myself photographed, I started shooting back.

      So, I wasn’t too surprised yesterday to find myself in at least one Google Street View series. You can literally follow me (in the yellow Mazda) street by street as I hunt for that much sought after free non-permit parking spot. A little creepy to say the least.

      If Google can shoot whatever they want, then we need to turn it back on them. I think most of us are starting to wonder when the Google people will show up to shoot the inside of our schools, businesses, homes, or maybe our dresser drawers.


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      Comments

      16 Comments

      That will teach them

      Oct 8, 2009 at 4:37pm

      Just imagine - taking Google's picture. Following Google. Man, they're gonna be so famous if we do that. I can't even believe people don't know Google is out there. Like really out there! You show them.

      jim

      Oct 8, 2009 at 7:13pm

      is that you agent mulder

      Great Post!

      Oct 8, 2009 at 10:39pm

      This is a classic! I too drove past the Google car, but, no luck..must of had the cameras off. You should post this story here:

      http://streetviewgallery.corank.com

      VikingSausage

      Oct 9, 2009 at 5:01am

      This is pretty funny, because I have an assignment to find an article with a fallacy in it. This is a classic example of slippery slope.

      Mark Atomos Pilon

      Oct 9, 2009 at 8:37am

      I think this came off as being a little too serious, really I'm not that concerned about my personal privacy, though there have been accounts of people finding images of themselves that have not been blurred. I was just posing the question; how far can Google go? The juxtaposition of the situation and having captured the moment was interesting to me. Nothing else. Oh and yes, I want to believe,

      Rob

      Oct 9, 2009 at 9:16am

      Everyone jokes now but there will be that defining moment when a criminal says... I went shopping for cars to steal on Google Street View. Or that they found a house with expensive yard equipment which means... you get where this is going. Wake up.

      Scott Blackstone

      Oct 9, 2009 at 10:32am

      Broadly speaking, no one needs permission to take photos of you in public, unless you're a minor convicted of a criminal offense. You do not have a right to anonymity in our society.

      As any photographer can tell you, the rule of thumb is: "You are guaranteed the right to express yourself through photography, and you have the freedom to publish the photos you take."

      http://ambientlight.ca/laws.php

      Lewis

      Oct 9, 2009 at 5:49pm

      It may seem a little creepy, however if you are in public your as good as free game for photography. They also blur out your face, so I don't really see the problem, unless you were up to no good that is.

      Nasty Celt

      Oct 9, 2009 at 11:20pm

      If anyone has a right to take my picture and publish it for profit I should have the corresponding right to defend my privacy and wear a mask in public. No I have nothing to hide, just something to protect...my privacy.

      Alan

      Oct 11, 2009 at 10:23am

      I ask the author: Do you get panicked and paranoid every time you see someone in public with a camera? How you do know they aren't posting pictures of you on Flickr? or Facebook? People need to stop whining. Google is not taking photos of the inside of our houses and that could never happen, so shame on you for saying that they might. They are taking photos of PUBLIC PLACES. The street!

      You find the google car creepy? Maybe people found YOU creepy, slowly crawling up and down the streets, back and forth. People really need to calm down about this. These are public places. They are not moving images. Google Street View is not a webcam. It's one moment in time. That's it.