Google Street View has been snapping Worthing streets

This large camera, attached to a vehicle, is snapping pictures of Worthing's streets ready to be used on the latest application of the Google Earth internet service.

Launched in the United States in 2007, the service is aiming to provide a street-level view that can be used alongside the mapping service already in existence.

Opponents of the initiative point to human rights and data protection issues, and have even accused Google of providing a virtual service for burglars to case individual properties.

In order to deal with some of these concerns, Google has blurred the faces of people and vehicle registration plates that have inadvertently been caught on the camera.

However, there have been some instances where this has not occurred, especially faces that are shown on advertising posters.

There have been cases in various parts of the world already, with people claiming that Google has invaded their privacy by including pictures of their private property on the Street View facility.

Although the controversy about Street View has been widely reported and there is some curiosity about where the cameras will be heading next, it is a lot more difficult to find positive reports about the application.

I have tried finding out where the demand for the service has come from, but all I find from internet searches is who doesn't want it!

I suppose for the nosy among us, Google Street View will be really good; we can look in envy or derision at the streets of friends or relatives.

Maybe estate agents will start using the application when enticing buyers of houses?

What is certain is that if Google is able to fulfil their ambition of photographing the entire World, there will be no mysteries left any more.

It is also very likely that their legal team will be spending huge amounts of time mired in privacy cases, just to pander to our nosiness.

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