Google Maps Street View ‘may be a security threat’
Saturday, 21 March 2009
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A new internet street map could be putting the public and members of the security forces in danger, a local Assemblyman has warned.
The Street View UK service, launched by Google amidst much publicity this week, allows members of the public to pick a spot on a map and ‘zoom’ in to see photos of the area.
However, Stormont Assembly member Ian Paisley jnr has branded the internet giant “reckless” for including photos of the perimeters of police stations and army barracks in Northern Ireland.
The entrance gates and perimeters of most police stations in greater Belfast are visible on the service and, according to BBC Northern Ireland, in one photo the number plate of a car entering a police station was unblurred.
Mr Paisley, who is also a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said the move was “incredibly stupid”.
“This endangers the public,” he said. “Even though the images can be removed they are now out there. It will be a case of bolting the stable door. The people who have been viewing the images should be traced by the security services.”
Google said the images on its new service were “no different from what a person can readily see or capture walking down the street. Imagery of this kind is available in a wide variety of formats for cities all around the world”.
A Google spokeswoman added: “We spoke to the Police Service of Northern Ireland before we started driving, and made sure they were aware of the project — they did not raise any concerns.
“In fact, the police in the UK and elsewhere have welcomed Google Maps and Street View as a helpful tool to raise awareness of crime, and in some cases even help deal with crime itself.”
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24 Comments
To Vicky and like minded people:
Why is this an invasion of privacy? If you don't want people looking in your house then close the curtains. People probably walk outside it every day so what's the problem? Also, what does Streetview allow people to do that they can't by walking or driving past. This is rediculous!
It is very likely that the only people who would bother to look at your house who cannot already get there are it's previous occupants.
On a side note: If you do something embarrasing in public (such as urinating) and get caught on streetview then it's your own fault for doing it in public in the first place.
Basically Streetview displays what is already visible to the public to a wider audience.
Posted by Jamus | 24.04.09, 12:04 GMT
I don't know if its a security threat. But it can definitely by funny to see what http://googlemapsightings.com finds.
Posted by joe | 27.03.09, 03:42 GMT
People are making a fuss over something that has been possible for years anyway - you can determine boundaries of buildings by looking at any aerial photography if you know the area (or have a OS map for reference).
Maps.live.com have had oblique aerial photography on their website for years either! This is aerial photography taken at an angle so one gets an understanding of building heights etc - in many cases this is actually better quality than the streetview.
Posted by namisan | 26.03.09, 14:51 GMT
Fantastic! I can dander down the streets of my childhood from the comfort of my home here in sunny Oz without the expense of the air fare and no jetlag brilliant!
Posted by Annabella | 25.03.09, 09:09 GMT
They are in our town now filming I might do a moony at my window give everyone something to look at ha ha - its good in one way as you can now see any one way streets if you are going to a city centre and need directions not all of us have Sat Nav. I use google map in my work to give out directions for some of our drivers when taking people on trips to hotels and now they can plan their journeys better and see the City/town they are going to if they are unfamiliar with that area.
Posted by Deb | 24.03.09, 23:00 GMT
The enjoyment your site brings to go on a vacation and never leave your home; it's like being in a candy store, you just can't get enough. Google maps could bring schools an interactive education; beside's a field trip at the desk. This site would improve a classmate's education and performance; if used in the school system.
Posted by Dave | 24.03.09, 05:59 GMT
Iam not happy with the 'new google map' as I feel its an invasion on peoples privacy.
Iam not happy that you can see so close to my house and with my car outside, and zoom in so far.
Dont you think their is enough cameras about nowadays and every where is becoming like 'big brother'.
Why has your world become like this?
Think it should be removed!!!!!!
Posted by vicky | 23.03.09, 15:04 GMT
i think the google map is a good idear, also it is fun to see difrent places. if you have moved you can look back to see if the place you used to live has changed
Posted by Jill | 23.03.09, 14:11 GMT
I believe the Street View service is "incredibly stupid" as Mr Paisley says (never found myself in agreement with him before!)
Have you ever heard of the law of unintended consequences?
You are compromising all of our rights to privacy without our permission - it is bad enough the powers that be CCTVing us all .
What legitimate reason for this snooping might people have? And what illegitimate? I hope it gets stopped asap.
Posted by joan tunnicliffe | 23.03.09, 13:01 GMT
what is the problem with this idea, and as to the thought that burglars can break in to any available property on show, surely we will be able to see who they are, even with masks !!
Posted by sally doherty | 23.03.09, 12:43 GMT
personally its a good idea but i am not at all happy that people ca get such a close up of my home....that is my sanctuary and if wish for burglar to get such a close up re access...i am not happy at all.
Posted by anna | 23.03.09, 12:27 GMT
i don't see any security problem. the images aren't real time so it's not like a camera is out there for everyone to view your life besides that big brother is watching you anyway these street maps are just a pretty cool way for people to view places they may never see enjoy it !
Posted by larz | 23.03.09, 12:17 GMT
i think it is a good idea.
there are other things similar to this already available on the internet. so why not?
i think people are just being paranoid, because if someone did want to break into a police station or whatever they are concerned about; this may help them but if they really wanted to break in then they would do it anyways, regardless of google's new street view map.
Posted by alys | 22.03.09, 21:24 GMT
Excellent service and I do not quite understand the furore causedby it . Perhaps I am just insensitive but so much is known about us anyway . This is a labour that I find interesting and informative , so more power to your elbow !
Posted by t. gardener | 22.03.09, 18:24 GMT
I find this invasive and potentially harmful - I work in a secure environment and pictures of our workplace, where people can be clearly identified, are now on google maps. It seems very little thought has gone into harmful ways this could be used.
Posted by ohnoron | 22.03.09, 16:25 GMT
complete rubbish, the though that a photograph on the web is any form of security issue is complete rubbish, what next lets get rid of maps, cameras, pens and paper.
We have people on this planet starving to death and people are concered about some pictures on the internet.
Posted by Craig | 22.03.09, 07:28 GMT
The images in google maps are very low resolution. In most cases even street signs are illegible in street view. It would in fact be a better service if higher resolution images were available as you could identify landmarks better when traveling to places you are unfamiliar with. If an individual was really interested in gathering intelligence about entrance and exit points of military barracks or police stations for illegal reasons that person would do much better and could take far higher resolution images by simply going to these publicly accessible places themselves and simply taking a picture with a half decent camera.
Posted by Haydn | 22.03.09, 04:40 GMT
I fully understand about the security that is stated on this page, but I have lived in Australia since 1978, but i am still British, and would love to see places that I lived at and achools that i went to back in England
Posted by MRS SYLVIA C CUMMINS | 22.03.09, 03:37 GMT
i will coment when i get on to it
Posted by mary | 21.03.09, 22:16 GMT
Brilliant idea for anyone thinking of moving to an area and possibly looking for a property.
Posted by d clack | 21.03.09, 16:39 GMT
24 Comments