The introduction of Google has greatly advanced my life and surely many others. So much so that ‘google it’ has become a common phrase and has officially entered the dictionary as a verb. Google offers many services and has changed the world as we know it. However, for me the most fascinating aspect of Google is their goal to map the entire world. Among the popular mapping services offered by Google are Street View, which allows web users to "drive" along virtual landscapes with ground-level views, and Google Earth, which offers detailed satellite and 3D images of locations around the world. With Google Maps, I know exactly where I’m going and approximately how long it will take me. Now, with Street View I can also see what the place looks like. What is even better is that I have downloaded this app on my Smartphone and have full mobility and access to anywhere and everywhere. But, this is just the bright side of things, Street View has arisen numerous privacy concerns too.
In the most recent article (referenced below), Google broke the privacy laws in Canada. Google captured a large amount of personal information that included some highly sensitive information such as complete e-mails, e-mail addresses, usernames and password. This isn't exactly a new issue. Google faces the same kind of complaint in other countries including Spain and South Korea. These are only simple examples; Google has gotten into a lot of trouble regarding military bases and restricted areas. What is worse is that, they have published pictures of common people without their consent on street view. Websites like http://mashable.com and www.gstreetsightings.com/ have sprung up and taken advantage of street view by making fun of the how people look and what they do. There are picture ranging from people violating the law to people selling drugs on the street to nudity. As you can see below, there is a picture man entering an adult book store and of girls sunbathing (taken from the websites). Such pictures serious violate one’s privacy and don’t even serve Google’s aim.
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| Man entering adult store |
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| Women sunbathing |
I have always had nightmare of a futuristic world where we will be watched over and every action will be monitored or regulated. Something like the game Half-Life 2.. Or Ive just played that game too much . My point is, Google maps and satellite imagining in only the beginning to the invasion of our privacy.
Interesting post but if you think about it sometimes we must give up a little bit of ourselves in order to move forward. Like purchasing this online by doing this we give our personal information in the hopes that we get out product but at the same time run the risk of having someone steal our identity. Most people will use the site for what it is meant for like you do but Google can't control what the small percentage of people do. In a sense, it's still wrong but would you rather have no Google Maps? lol
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