Street View Does Not Breach U.K. Privacy Laws

A ruling from the Information Commissioner says that Google's Street View does not breach British privacy laws.

After hundreds of complaints, and an incident where residents former a cordon around a camera car trying to photograph their village, the Information Commissioner (ICO) has ruled that Google’s Street View does not breach British privacy laws.

Responding to an official complaint from Privacy International, the ICO said:

"If consent were required by the law, then the producers of, say, [soccer program] Match of the Day, would have to gain the consent of all people attending televised football matches who might be caught on camera."

"In our opinion, there is no clear evidence that the community find Street View particularly harmful or insidious."

Google said:

"We look forward to a constructive dialogue with Privacy International and other privacy stakeholders."