Andre Yoskowitz
15 Nov 2009 21:22
Switzerland's federal data protection commissioner Hans Thur has announced plans to sue search engine giant Google over lack of privacy safeguards in the Street View mapping system.
The system allows for users to see full panoramic streetscapes of most cities in US and Europe, including cars, buildings and even people. Google fully blurs faces and license plates, but Thur says it is not enough.
"Faces and vehicle number plates are not made sufficiently anonymous from the point of view of data protection, especially in cases where the persons concerned are shown in sensitive locations, such as outside hospitals, prisons or schools,"says Thur, via UPI.
"We are disappointed that Herr Thur has changed his position on Street View after launch, and that he has not considered our proposals for further improvements to the product," responded Google. "We will vigorously defend Street View in court and we're committed to continue bringing the benefits of this product to Swiss users."