Google - The Ultimate Big Brother!
I’m sitting here in shock. So much so, that I barely even know what to write, even though my mind is full of material.
I’ve just been following the blue link road, and come across something which I find disturbing (to say the least). It’s Google’s recent addition to their Google Maps, called “Street View“. Had it been the beginning of April, I might have thought it was another elaborate prank, but this is for real.
What Is It?
Put simply, all you American ‘city-slickers’ out there better watch your back, as the ultimate “Big Brother is watching you” is happening right now on your doorstep. People employed by Google in some way or another, are driving around cities, taking candid photographs of the streets, including public and private property, vehicals, pedestrians, and all their actions; and all without any warning whatsoever.
So What?
Let me throw a few examples of what could possibly happen, that might ruin the lives of some.
i) A mother calls her son on his mobile to tell him she had to go out, so she won’t be in when he comes home from school. The son then tells her that he hasn’t got his key to get in, so mum leaves one for him in the secret place at the front, and as she’s placing the key there, Mr. Google employee is taking a photograph of that street.
A few months later, and someone notices by zooming in on a photo, the place where a certain family hides a key to get into their home. I think you know what happens.
ii) Your daughter is getting dressed upstairs in her bedroom in a hurry to go out, and so she doesn’t take the time to shut the blinds. A few months later, your teenage daughter is getting odd looks from some of the guys in her college. She finds out that they’ve found a photo of her on the Internet — but how? Thanks Google!
iii) An employer manages to identify one of his employees walking into a job recruitment agency. Even though it’s months later, and the employee must not have got another job, he immediately loses favour with his boss for even thinking of getting another job.
A Reality
Some of you may be thinking I’m over-the-top, but Mary Kalin-Casey has already proved the dangers of this technology. You can see what type of cat she has sitting in her livingroom.
I could go on spouting my thoughts on this. In fact, if I haven’t already begun, it could very easily turn into my first rant on this blog. I’m all for advancing technology, but this is unethical. It invades privacy, violates our rights, and exploits the public for some sort of elaborate project!
I’m done — your turn.
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10 Responses to “Google - The Ultimate Big Brother!”
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[…] Original post by Armen […]
I added here the best Google Street View.
Wow, slightly reactionary but the extreme veiw does draw traffic. It got me here commenting.
I can understand the concern, but Google isn’t “seeing” anything that anyone else wouldn’t see when walking down the same street. If you are going to hide a key, look around and make sure no one is taking a picture. If your going to take your clothes off, close the blinds.
Taking pictures in a public space is not an invasion of privacy. If it is made a legal issue then something as simple as sharing vacation pictures on your blog is going to get thorny. Who is that person in the background? Did they sign a release form?
I’ll be a little worried when Google is able to find the source of my house’s plumbing problem via Google maps. Until then, I will enjoy what seems to me like a useful technology.
So you need to look out for this car then?
VW Beetle.
The people’s car?
GeoTrotter - I think your post proves some of my point. For example, if anyone is caught doing anything embarrasing, it’s going to get plastered all over (here I predict) up-and-coming dedicated blogs which glory is such things.
Nic - Street photography is just barely permissible these days, but as long as a photograph doesn’t compromise someone, I don’t see a problem. However, I think images peering in residential private property is unethical.
Terinea - Yeah, it would seem so. Thanks for the link!
Big Brother is definitely watching…so are all his helpers!
Check out this list of Google StreetView sightings!
http://www.laudontech.com/StreetView/streetview.html
It sounds unethical if you’re having your living room contents displayed online!
I’m split over this one Armen. On one hand I think it’s a fascinating tool to add to Google Maps. On the other everyone deserves their privacy.
If I find a photo of you I’ll be sure to let you know. If you can do the same it’d be much appreciated.
Oh, and great news with the feature in the Times Online! Onwards and upwards for iFFECT.
Big Brother - That’s quite a resource you’re building up there.
David - Yeah, I know. I mean I love candid street photography as an art, but when it invades private personal space, I can’t help but get a negative feeling about it.
I think it’ll be some time before they’re driving through Edinburgh…or Bangor!
Yeah, I was a little shocked to read about myself in a British paper of such authority. Nice!
Congrats to you hitting Digg’s front page again. Your host is going to be getting a little upset!
You do realise that if number 2 scenario happens then the daughter in question can sue google for a bunch of privacy laws and maybe even child pornography depending on how old the daughter is. It won’t matter what lawyers google sends out she’ll probably win.
Robert - You’re probably right, and further enforces me point.