Comments on: Note to privacy advocates: Good luck

Privacy advocates have an ax to grind with Google for helping to move more of our lives into the public realm. But there's a long list of others in the same camp.

[pingpong111]

We have no privacy as long as cowards and bullies are allowed to run free.

[Lerianis]

Correction: you have no right to privacy OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME OR PERSONALLY OWNED BUSINESS.

Frankly, the 'privacy nuts' are going overboard here, and Google needs to STOMP ON THEM HARD. I am all for privacy when you have a reasonable expectation of privacy (such as in your home).
Anywhere else however.... you are fair game, and that INCLUDES when you step out of your home into the wide outdoors.

[gerrrg]

What expectation does one have of privacy, if they walk in an open place? What expectation of privacy does one have if one lives on a public street? Google makes for an easy target because it is a profitable, large company front and center, but this whole privacy outcry with Google is downright stupid.

IF by having rights to privacy means that you have unlimited privacy, then I have really bad news for paparazzi and anyone with a digital camera that does not get permission from the intended target(s), including buildings, vehicles and people. What about the people that attend sporting events, whose faces, actions and vulgarities are captured on video? Do they get to sue Universities and broadcasters for showing their face or their goofiness for all of us to see? Do they get to pass on consequential infamy, when all they wanted to do was to watch a sporting game?

I'm no apologist for Google, but a Right to privacy is neither absolute nor guaranteed. It comes down to four words: Reasonable Expectation of Privacy.

[umbrae]

I have been trying to get my house off Google Street View for 4 months. They are just a black hole and do not actually remove you. They are only collection email, which they probably print out to use as toilet paper. When I try to send additional requests to get removed, I get a form email that says I have already reported it and they are processing my request, and no information is given to contact someone about my request.

Screw Google...

[amerhome]

Google street view is an effective new tool for criminals to use for advance scouting activities. Crooks no longer to drive through residential neighborhoods in their own car to find potential targets. That saves time, gas and the risk of being noticed and ID'd by alert neighborhoods. Burglars can now use it find homes that are well screened from the street and their neighbors. Car thieves can identify homeowners' cars parked in their driveway that are in high demand for stripped parts or for smuggling to other countries.

Currently homeowners are not told in advance that their homes are going to be put on Google Street View. By the time they find out and ask for its removal, it may be too late. Because of the obvious security risk created by Google Street View, Google should use an opt in approach. The homes and other property of homeowners should not be posted on Google Street View without the express advance permission of residents.

American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance

Serving the interests of the nation's 75 million homeowners and future homeowners since 1984.

The American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance is a nonpartisan consumer advocacy organization dedicated to assisting the nation's 75 million homeowners understand significant policy issues affecting homeowners and homeownership, and empowering homeowners to make their voices heard by state and federal officials.

Visit our web site http://www.americanhomeowners.org.

[Nonnie_Mus]

"Privacy doesn't exist" - Someone (in this case, Google) has the *ability* to see what you're doing online.

"Google takes privacy very seriously" - Just because they can, doesn't mean they want to - or do so in an inappropriate way. Isn't Google the company that refused to hand over viewing YouTube records to Viacom?

IMHO, I see no hypocrisy here.

[amerhome]

Google street view is an effective new tool for criminals to use for advance daytime scouting activities. Crooks no longer have to drive through residential neighborhoods in their own car to find potential targets. That saves time, gas and the risk of being noticed and ID'd by alert neighborhoods. Burglars can now use it find homes that are well screened from the street and their neighbors. Car thieves can identify homeowners' cars parked in their driveway that are in high demand for stripped parts or for smuggling to other countries. Both can then go straight to their tagets in the middle of the night to commit their crime.

Currently homeowners are not told in advance that their homes are going to be put on Google Street View. By the time they find out and ask for its removal, it may be too late. Because of the obvious security risk created by Google Street View, Google should use an opt in approach. The homes and other property of homeowners should not be posted on Google Street View without the express advance permission of residents.

American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance

Serving the interests of the nation's 75 million homeowners and future homeowners since 1984.

The American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance is a nonpartisan consumer advocacy organization dedicated to assisting the nation's 75 million homeowners understand significant policy issues affecting homeowners and homeownership, and empowering homeowners to make their voices heard by state and federal officials.

Visit our web site http://www.americanhomeowners.org.

[benjaminstraight]

Privacy on the web will be the most debated issue of the first part of this millenium