Google Street View has to reshoot in Japan

For Google Street View, Japanese version, it's not a wrap. It seems to be more of a wrap on the knuckles.

Google has received so many complaints about the height of its ambition, I am sorry, I mean the height of its cameras, that it will re-shoot all of its Japanese footage again. With cameras of a more modest scope.

According to some critics, Google's eagle eyes were more those of vultures, capturing the meat of rather too many private moments over too many private fences.

This is one of the offensively lofty Street View cars in Japan. You can just make out the red tip of the Ladybug 2 camera.

(Credit: CC Raneko/Flickr)

In Japan, people are not fond of having even their clean laundry aired in public. And the protests became too great for Google to ignore.

So the company has agreed to bow to these complaints and lower its gaze by 16 inches.

Which will cost a little money, as it has already filmed in 12 Japanese cities, including Tokyo and Osaka.

This news comes as Google is also facing a few hurdles in Greece.

Authorities there have halted all Street View filming until Google satisfies them that its intentions are good and that its cameras will not show number plates, restaurant waiters smashing plates or anyone secretly watching the DVD of "Mamma Mia."

[MosX]

While they're at it, they should reshoot NYC. It could really use a higher resolution.

[ZetaZeta_]

While some countries voice their concerns about privacy, we on American tech blogs yearn for more detailed pictures of our roads. ;P
I agree, though, however I think completion (more cities) is just as important as image quality.

[FreddieT]

Originally from Japan, I find this hysteria to be utterly ridiculous, though some of the complaints are arguably legitimate... like one that came from a young couple who were shot coming out of a motel. LOL

[seven7dust]

obviously that scenario is embarrassing for anyone !
who want s the a whole lot of people to know about something like that !
I can see this being a problem in other countries as well !

[nackereia]

I don't see why that's so embarrassing. Practically the entire world won't know who they were nor will they care who they were. I would've assumed they were on vacation and needed someplace to stay.

[gerrrg]

This from a country that sells underwear at vending machines.

[Pishkado]

In the UK, a man's easily identifiable car (which had, among other things, unique wheel rims) was photographed by Google Street View cameras outside his suspected girl friend's residence when he had told his wife he was at the office. The photograph, according to the London press (Times, a serious paper; not tabloids) is being used as evidence in divorce proceedings.

In the final analysis, this isn't that different from mobile phone records (which identify the tower through which one connects) or highway toll transponders being used for the same purpose: showing that someone was in one place when s/he said s/he was in another.

Let's face it. We may not be down to exactly no privacy any more, but there's a lot less than there used to be.

[gmarzette]

With how crowded Japan is, how is google supposed to make an announcement for everyone not to do their laundry on the day of the google photo shooting?

[Michel Merlin]

Res Publica = Everything must be public
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
If no foul play was involved from powers in place, everyone would stick to the good old natural laws in all countries: on the public street, view is public, you can see and watch and photography everything and everyone you want, with only the very limited usual reservations:

- not having a permanent view from too high over the private parts of a property (this law for houses' windows could be applied to Google StreetView cameras)
- not harassing people (like paparazzis). For this (which doesn't concern StreetView), it should only state that you can't approach a person nearer than 5 steps without their (implicit) consent. Such a law would never hamper regular people, but if you feel harassed, you simply show that you want to be left alone, this would suffice to forbid paparazzis to come nearer than 5 steps. If they keep farther, they can make all the photos they want, they won't really hurt you - and they will remain able to do their job and fill their DUTY of reporting information.

I recall that "Republic", from "res publica", means that everything of public interest must be treated by everybody, so NOTHING MUST BE HIDDEN, excepted private parts, that should be very limited (inside of houses and cars), and the same for all (Police as everyone). This being a fundamental rule for peace, liberty and security, is of course dearly defended by regular honest citizens, and equally strongly fought by all powers seeking to establish dictatorship - which unfortunately includes ALL the political powers nowadays.

Versailles, Thu 14 May 2009 18:12:50 +0200

[mikebellman]

Poor Google. I wish they'd just leave the pictures alone. Facebook, Twitter and other website are fairly public meaning that if you or your friends put something "out there" Expect it to be viewed, read and explored by someone.

I would like to travel the world on Google Street View, but the images that are on the website now make me feel like I am watching a low budget 1980's SciFi flick.