The Google Earth haters are busy this week, as three separate stories concerning privacy and Google’s satellite imagery have made headlines.
In the United Kingdom, previously blurred images of Britain’s nuclear submarine base are clearly visible after a Google Earth update. In fact, the imagery is so accurate, the country’s Trident-armed nuclear submarines are visible along with the 
exact coordinates pinpointing the location. As if this wasn’t enough, a variety of other top secret British armed forces locations are visible as well. Google has previously agreed with the UK’s Ministry of Defense that the images should be blurred. Google wouldn’t comment on the case.
In the United States, military bases aren’t enough. One California legislator has introduced Assembly Bill 255, proposing that schools, hospitals, government buildings and even places of worship be added. And in order to prevent the problems inherent with informal agreements, such as nuclear submarines mysteriously reappearing, the bill would result in a $250, 000 fine for each day a violating company leaves an image covered under the bill clear to see. In addition to the vicious financial penalty, the violating company’s chief executive officer would face a minimum of a year in jail.
Of course the bill was launched in fear of terrorism, kind of an extended use of the fear of privacy. It states in a nutshell that an image that makes the life of a terrorist easier should be eliminated. Extending upon that narrow logic, I propose Google and other mapping companies blur the entire country of Afghanistan. I think it’s unlikely this bill will pass, probably disappointing the infamous Boring’s.
A court dismissed Aaron and Christine Boring’s lawsuit against Google last month which claimed the company drove onto their private property to take images for Street View. Apparently the couple, not content with original ruling have filed an appeal with this to say:
“This Court tells Google that it is okay to enter onto a person’s private property without permission. I would not teach that rule to my child. This Court’s ruling makes our private property a Google Slave; our property is no longer our own: it is forced to work for another, against its will, without compensation, for the profit of another. The Federal Court should free slavery, not create it.”
Google Slave…at least the couple is creative though I think they’re taking this a little too far!
