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Residents challenge Google camera | Residents challenge Google camera |
(40 minutes later) | |
Angry residents in Milton Keynes blocked the driver of a Google Street View car when he started taking photographs of their homes. | Angry residents in Milton Keynes blocked the driver of a Google Street View car when he started taking photographs of their homes. |
Police were called to Broughton after residents staged the protest, accusing Google of invading their privacy and "facilitating crime". | |
Councillor John Bint told the BBC the camera mounted on a car was intrusive and people should have been consulted. | Councillor John Bint told the BBC the camera mounted on a car was intrusive and people should have been consulted. |
Google said it observed UK law and only filmed from public areas. | Google said it observed UK law and only filmed from public areas. |
The company also said it had consulted various police forces and provided the means for residents to have their home removed from the service. | The company also said it had consulted various police forces and provided the means for residents to have their home removed from the service. |
'Step too far' | |
Mr Bint said: "When a scene is viewed from street level it is acceptable but this camera is intrusive because it can peer into gardens and into the windows of homes. | Mr Bint said: "When a scene is viewed from street level it is acceptable but this camera is intrusive because it can peer into gardens and into the windows of homes. |
"That is a step too far and Google should stop taking pictures in this way. | |
"They should consult with residents about what exactly they are going to do and provide a right of appeal." | |
The Street View mapping project allows for 360-degree views of roads and homes using footage taken by a camera mounted on a car. | The Street View mapping project allows for 360-degree views of roads and homes using footage taken by a camera mounted on a car. |
Resident Paul Jacobs said Street View was an invasion of privacy | |
Resident Paul Jacobs was one of the first residents in the village, which is part of Milton Keynes, to challenge the Google car. | |
Mr Jacobs said he saw the vehicle driving past his home on Wednesday and his first reaction was one of anger. | |
"I don't have a problem with Google wanting to promote villages. What I have a problem with is the invasion of privacy, taking pictures directly into the home," he said. | "I don't have a problem with Google wanting to promote villages. What I have a problem with is the invasion of privacy, taking pictures directly into the home," he said. |
"Google have taken a tremendous liberty in the way they've gone about it. | "Google have taken a tremendous liberty in the way they've gone about it. |
"If they were simply going to view the street as a street scene rather than drive almost into people's drives and take pictures of the houses - I think that's a different issue." | "If they were simply going to view the street as a street scene rather than drive almost into people's drives and take pictures of the houses - I think that's a different issue." |
Thames Valley Police said: "A squad car was sent to Broughton at 1020 BST on Wednesday to reports of a dispute between a crowd of people and a Google Street View contractor. | Thames Valley Police said: "A squad car was sent to Broughton at 1020 BST on Wednesday to reports of a dispute between a crowd of people and a Google Street View contractor. |
The village was also featured in the local papers yesterday and much of the national press this morning. So how private is this place now? Rory Cellan-Jones's blog | The village was also featured in the local papers yesterday and much of the national press this morning. So how private is this place now? Rory Cellan-Jones's blog |
"A member of the public had called us to report that he, along with a number of others, were standing in the middle of the road preventing the car from moving forwards and taking photographs. | "A member of the public had called us to report that he, along with a number of others, were standing in the middle of the road preventing the car from moving forwards and taking photographs. |
"They felt his presence was an intrusion of their privacy. When police arrived at the scene, the car had moved on." | "They felt his presence was an intrusion of their privacy. When police arrived at the scene, the car had moved on." |
Google's Peter Barron said the system contained "simple tools" which allowed people to remove images of their house. | |
He said: "Many, many millions of people have used the service very happily, and it's proved very useful. | |
"But we do recognise that a small minority of people won't feel comfortable about it." | |
Are you in Broughton? Did you see anything? Have you seen a Google Street view car in your area? Send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you in Broughton? Did you see anything? Have you seen a Google Street view car in your area? Send us your experiences using the form below: |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
You can also send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you canupload here. | You can also send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you canupload here. |
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The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |