Comments on: Google begins blurring faces in Street View

Google has begun testing technology to blur faces in its Street View feature in an attempt to better balance privacy and the usefulness of a driver's-eye view of the world.

[fokkwp]

They should add some additional algorithms to handle instances when a street person drops trow to take care of business.

[paulej]

Hey! I know that guy with the fast food! Just kidding.

Why do people care that they're on the Internet like this? After all, everyobdy else walking down the street saw them in person! It seems pointless, really.

I'd like to hear from those who are featured on Street View who are either a) upset that they've been blurred or b) upset that they appeared there and why they are upset.

[tossedegg]

OK, I have not been spotted, yet. But there may be people across the country, by whom I do not want to be found. People in the city where I reside and work don't scare me, but there are one or two elsewhere in the country, who just might. I'm sure this isn't difficult to understand, and there are plenty of perfectly valid and legal reasons for this. I would guess that often, someone wishing not to be found, is on the legal end of a bad situation.

[nsupp]

I don't understand what the problem is... it isn't like your name or personal information is included with your picture. No one will have any idea who you are. It makes these photos look kind of stupid now.

[Gwen1111]

I can understand both sides of the argument. I can understand how some many see it as silly that others feel their privacy is violated, because obviously someone can be on the street that they are as a stranger and see the same thing. However, even in New York City, people's habits tend to be routine, so you could see the same guy walking with his burger and shake every day. And then, if you were brash enough, you could make a blog about photos of people who routinely show up every day eating fast food. And refer to them as "blue shirt guy." And everyone in the company that man works for knows "blue shirt guy." So he is exposed. OK. Probably won't happen. But the legal system is based on the "what ifs" in life, not actual life.

[grandstreets]

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