#1: Hey Guess What? I Can See You...
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 5:00 PM
On Oct 7, 2009 Google launched their new application called Google Street View. This application allows people to search addresses and view, from street level, photographs that were taken of the area. Google decided to drive around selected cities with vans that had a 360 degree view video camera attached to the top. When completed, they compiled all these images to create one large 360 degree photographic map.All I can say is, "Wow, Google, wow." Luckily for you, no matter how far you zoom in on my building, no matter how many times you click on the addition sign, no matter how many times you wish on a shooting star, it is quite impossible to actually see the inside of my apartment. Luckily for you, I also have curtains. Otherwise, I think I might have to kill you.
However, unfortunately for me, even if I didn't live in an apartment, nor have curtains, it is impossible for me to kill you because, well, you are an inanimate object. Not to mention the fact that if I kill someone, even if I don't get caught, I would have to live the rest of my life with this unforgivable, tormenting guilt that would make it impossible for me to get up in the morning. Of course, I wouldn't want that to happen. I have units to do.
Ay, I'm simply getting off topic here. Forgive me for my, er, weird anger issues. It's just, I get so, well, I wouldn't actually call it angry, but rather uncomfortable with the fact that oh look, here's another thing in the world that could help stalkers to, well, stalk me, without my permission! Oh, cruel world, why do you have to be so...cruel?
Let me show you what I saw when I searched up my address: (Disclaimer - In fear of stalkers, this may or may not be my actual house/apartment/home.)
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| Oh look! A lovely tree is blocking my view! |
Now imagine if I was outside on "my" balcony at the time the Google van was taking this picture. Even though Google blurs faces, if you look carefully, you would eventually figure out that there is a teenage girl living in that apartment (or, for the case of the people who think I don't look like a teen, a little girl [-_-]). In both cases, I would still be a target for stalkers. In fact, even if I was a 50-year old man, I would still be a target for stalkers. What if I was one of those people who changed their identity in order to be safe from criminals trying to kill me? If the girl on the balcony looks like me (because it is me), then BAM! I would no longer be safe living in this apartment. I would no longer be safe living in this country!
Even worse, what if this was the picture that appeared on Google Street View:
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| Is this even possible? Would the tree be able to withstand such weight? Can thoughts be seen? |
I would be grounded for life if my parents saw this, and who do I have to blame for that? Google. Then, there would be a huge controversy because the oh-so-popular website would be hearing from my lawyers. No joke. All of them got an 80 percent or above on the History debate - I would so win.
Yes, yes, I know. I shouldn't be so mean to Google and this application. I know it was made for a good reason. I mean, even I use it (aren't I such a hypocrite?). No, I don't use it to stalk people (or do I?). I mainly use it for travel purposes. For example, if I were to take the bus by myself to a place I've never been to before, it helps to see what the surroundings of the area looks like so that the chances of me getting lost are smaller ("Okay, so there's a huge tree on the left side of the building, a bus stop in front..."). Also, think about how helpful this application must be for land developers, architects, or other similar jobs. Because this application shows practically every place in the world, it helps those working in the fields mentioned above to see the best places to construct buildings, roads, etcetera. It's also great for security, because there's a very good chance that this application has caught some people committing crimes, don't you think? The pictures were taken randomly and unexpectedly to most of the public - most people would not have known that a van with a 360 degree camera was taking a picture of them.
You know what, I think that's the main reason why Google made this application in the first place. They wouldn't have made this with the secret motive of making it easier for stalkers or criminals who know a certain person they want to get rid of in the world. No. Google has been a trusted site for many years; they made this application in order to make it easier for people everywhere to, well live their life. They were simply thinking of what would make life easier for us. I really don't think we should go around being angry at them. (Sorry Google!)
So, do I agree or disagree with what Google has done by making this application? Yes, I agree. I really don't think they should get rid of the application entirely. That's propesterous. It really does help a lot of people everywhere, myself included.
However, I still think they have to address the fact that everyone's privacy and security is being threatened by this application. Just because the photographs are taken in a public place, it does not necessarily mean that they are allowed to post pictures of people like that without their permission (and no, Google, blurring faces doesn't really help). I don`t want to use a specific example, because I don't want to violate anyone`s privacy, but if you were to pick a random person on the street and look carefully, at the right angle, you'd be able to determine the person in the picture. You may think that there's a one in a million chance that a person looking will actually be able determine who person is, but think about it again. People today are much smarter than before. By knowing a small fact such as what clothes a person was wearing on a certain day, you're able to conduct more research and eventually determine that person's identity. As you can see, Google does not blur clothes.
So, Google, think again if blurring faces really does anything. Oh, and you may want to take a look again at Canada's privacy laws. Now, since I am not really a lawyer, nor do I have the proper knowledge, I'm not actually certain if Google is breaking any laws (I mean, if they were, something would have happened sooner, right? Google is a massively popular organization), but look what I found while researching random things from the Internet because I am that cool - The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms! Dun dun dun!
7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.Excuse me? What was that? "Everyone has the right to....security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof...." Everyone has the right to security! Everyone has the right to feel secure! Did you not see how I reacted in the beginning of this post? Does that seem like a secure person to you? No, I don't think so! There are many people out there that are uncomfortable releasing pictures of themselves, especially on the Internet. I really don't think Google should be doing it for them and therefore making them feel any less secure. Do you want people refusing to go outside in fear that a Google van will unexpectedly come along taking a picture of them? Again, I'm not exactly sure if Google is breaking any laws, but since the statement above is in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it must count for something, right?
Let me conclude this uber long post by suggesting to you, Google, some things you can do to avoid threatening the feeling of security of so many people around the world. What about erasing every possible being that can be seen, instead of just simply blurring out their faces? And don't just end it with humans - do the same things for license plates, and material possessions that could be seen on someone's property (such as a lawnmower or bicycle on someone's front yard) because knowing someone's possessions can still put a person at risk. This is a gruesome task, I know, but it's much better to take such a precaution before realizing that you're losing users because everyone hates you. If erasing is impossible, you can replace the items listed above with something else. Here's an example:
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| Ta Da! Doesn't it look wonderful? |
Yes, I know it looks unattractive, but at least it would guarantee that everyone would feel safe and secure going out in public. I think that's more important than looking professional, don't you think?
posted by Rowena @ 5:00 PM
5 Comments:
Wow Rowena! That was a long post. Anyways, I agree with you for the most part. Google Street View is very helpful and easy. I don't think Google's ulterior motive was to help criminals find people. Your idea of replacing items does seem intriguing; however I personally would prefer the site to look the way it does now. I think that people are way too paranoid about this issue.
Hii Rowena! (:
I love your post, it's so funny and it has a lot of points. I really like how you drew on your photos and connected it to how much you don't like the application. I do agree that Google has gone way too far with all the stalking pictures, but I guess there's also a good side to it. I like how you explained the good and bad side of the application. There was also a lot of details and information you used to back up your story, I think it was good. (:
Ahaha, your post is so enlightening I think I'm half-blind.
But seriously, your opinion about Google Street View is similar to what my opinions are, because I really wouldn't like to see my (or anyone else that I know) half-blurred face pasted all over the Internet. Google really doesn't make one feel secure.
I also agree that Google should just do it like your last image :).
HA HA, I really like your picture. That idea might actually WORK! However, i feel that Google Streetsview is actually a useful tool, especially when you are trying to find a certain location.
I reacted the same way the first time I heard about this new tool on Google. I was freaking out and I started to get paranoid. I also thought that Google was possibly breaking some laws but like you said, something would have happened by now and it hasn't. I immediately searched for all the places that I would usually be at and again, I reacted the same way you did when I started playing around with it. I thought that it wasn't so bad but Google can sure do something a lot better with the privacy and I at least think that they could have warned the public about it.
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