Japanese Clueless Want Google Street View Gone…

This seems to be an old post but, IMO I really dont mind what google (w/ NASA) is doing. Honestly at least they are showing us a bit of their capability, if this is available to the public just think what isnt. I also feel only people that something to hide would take this to the next level, "so you took a picture of the front of my house?, Wow, who cares?

This was a very strong tool for looking for a house, and also its dated it bit so I like to check it out to see the past. I agree on some security issues but I am very sure the Japanese have looked at images in the USA, and thats fine, I think its very cool to be able to see around the world, especially for someone that will probably never be to Japan. My kids loved it and now because of the complaints of the few, the manys suffer, just as usual.

I understand your viewpoint, but at the same time there has been no privacy in our lives for a longtime. Do you have a credit card? Do you search the web with Yahoo? Ask? Every signed up for something in the 'real' world? Guess what: all of this data is used to target goods, services, brands, etc., at you. In my opinion, it's time for people to adapt to a changing world and move on. Google Street View is an excellent service whether or not Google is using it to bump up their bottom line. It tends to be those that make the biggest stink that draw the exact type of negative attention they constantly bitch about!

Ok, so there are a huge number of issues here... Firstly, just why the hell should we put up with Google taking and publicising images of private residences, even though they may be adjacent to public streets? Just because they can? And where is the dividing line between the right to privacy and the right to satisfy curiosity? I think Google has shot themselves in the foot on this one - their image has always been that of "laid-back dudes" providing a service in a different way to the greedy corporations. Well not anymore! Only the naive would think that Google is not using this service to improve their brand image, number of hits, etc as a means to bolster their position with potential advertisers across the range of Google services - therefore images of my, your or others property or persons is being used for commercial gain - and we weren't even asked, let alone compensated for infringement of image rights, etc. We have the ability to remove images - how noble of Google! But what about those without internet access or computer skills who may not even be aware that images of their homes have been published online? And then we have to consider the happy burglars who can now recon the properties they want to break into without ever leaving the comfort of their criminal dens. Anyone walking down my street to recon for a crime may be noticed and remembered by me or a neighbour - but not if they use Google Street View. Google says this is not a tool for criminals. But that's how it will be used by some. I am personally so angry that Google has the effrontery to do this that I no longer use any Google service - it might not mean much to Google, but since they have decided to turn into a bullying corporation I see no reason to give them aid or comfort. I hope they go bust, frankly. If only they'd bothered to ask....

Lawyer not clueless,

I don't expect them to adopt my view at all, but I seriously disagree with it and think it's utterly ridiculous. I admit I'm no expert on Japanese law, but are you saying that publicizing a photo of a wanted criminal is against human rights? What about video of people walking by in the background of a Japanese new report filmed in a public place? It's all the same to me.

Justin, the Japanese Constitution as currently interpreted makes it a violation of human rights to publicize identifiable photos of people without their permission. The Japanese constitutional law profs behind this know a thing or two about this; you, not they, are the clueless one.
More than clueless even, you claim that they must adopt your view of what is or is not acceptable. Newsflash: Japan is an independent country, and they are allowed to make their own decisions, even though they aren't Western men like you and me. Just because you disagree doesn't make them "clueless".

Krissy,

As for number 1, I probably didn't make myself clear. When I said "especially on public property" I was only referring to the sunbather and in that situation it wasn't on a beach. As for the man getting himself in marital discord by discretely hitting the strip clubs, he SHOULDN'T be doing it. He's married! Serves him right.

As for number 2, whether or not the video is publicly accessible, a person still doesn't know if they're on tape or who's watching them. Just because a person is "authorized" doesn't make them morally angelic. It's still the same to me. And the whole organization's argument is based on privacy invasion. Public or private, it's still the same thing, but like you said private privacy invasion is apparently ok. Kind of a double standard.

1. "Ok sure, there’s been issues with men leaving strip clubs and women sunbathing. Don’t do it then, especially on public property." How exactly does one leave a building without exiting onto private property??? And most beaches are indeed public property. That is a very weak argument.


2. Cameras in a shopping malls are not freely available for the public to view and displayed on the open web. Access to those camera feeds are restricted to authorized mall personnel and law enforcement officers. So that is how Google Street View is different.