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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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4

British Village Chases Out Google Street View 'Spy'

Mob of wealthy villagers feared Google could help burglars case their houses

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(Newser) – Google's attempt to add the scenic English village of Broughton to Street View was foiled by angry villagers, the Guardian reports. Residents, fearing that internet closeups of their homes would be an invitation to burglars, formed a human barrier to block the Google camera car after being alerted by a neighbor and forcing it to retreat.

"How dare anyone take a photograph of my home without my consent?" asked one angry resident of the wealthy village, who sounded the alarm as soon as he saw the car with the tell-tale 360-degree camera on its roof.  Google says people are entitled to have photos of their homes removed from Street View—but only after the pictures have appeared.

A Google Street View camera car waits at a light on Bury Place in London last year.
A Google Street View camera car waits at a light on Bury Place in London last year.   (Getty Images)
Google has been expanding its Street View coverage of Britain.
Google has been expanding its Street View coverage of Britain.   (©Ben Bore (Rhys))
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If our houses are plastered all over Google, it's an invitation for more criminals to strike. - Paul Jacobs, Broughton residents

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4 comments
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Robert_Dada
Apr 3, 09 7:32 AM CDT
Google is going way too far. They are becoming the new Microsoft. Reply
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Rob
Apr 3, 09 10:00 AM CDT
Actually they are legally allowed to take any photos that are publicly viewable. They can't take a picture through your windows but they certainly can take a picture of your façade. Reply
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Mad
Apr 3, 09 10:16 AM CDT
"Way too far"? How? Taking images in public? If you don't wish for your house to be seen, build subterranean! Sheesh Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Robert_Dada
Apr 3, 09 10:18 AM CDT
It opens the door to more harm than good. If you found out the FBI and CIA were routinely photographing your home, you would consider it intrusive and rightfully so. And Rob, just because it's legal doesn't make it ethical.
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