Street View Gets UK Thumbs Up

When Google’s Street View mapping tool was proposed for the UK, privacy groups were quick to shout no, but now the Information Commissioner’s office (ICO) has given the nod to the service, although it has requested another meeting with Google prior to the UK Street View launch.

The system uses panoramic photographs to show locations in cities and towns, which are added to Google Street Maps. The technology debuted in the US in May last year.

The furore had been over whether Google could effectively blur faces and car license plates and thus allow privacy, but the Information Commissioner’s office has been convinced it could. Additionally, the lag between photos being snapped and appearing online would make it impossible for them to be used as any kind of tracking tool. In a statement the ICO said:

"Although it is possible that in certain limited circumstances an image may allow the identification of an individual, it is clear that Google are keen to capture images of streets and not individuals."

A Google spokesperson told the BBC that the company “welcomed” the decision, adding:

"We’ve always said we will not launch in UK until we are comfortable Street View complies with local law and that we will use technology, like face-blurring, licence plate blurring and operational controls, such as image removal tools, so Street View remains useful and in keeping with local norms wherever it is available."