Gang of villagers chase away Google car

[Liberal_in_LA]

Gang of villagers chase away Google car

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/03/google.anger/

CNN) -- Google's ambitious plan to offer a 3-D street level view of communities across three continents hit a snag when angry residents of a UK village blocked the search engine's camera car from photographing their homes.

Broughton, can be seen from the air on Google Earth, but not from the ground.

Fearing the appearance of their well appointed properties on the Web site would attract criminals scouting for burglary targets, villagers in Broughton, north of London, summoned the police after spotting the car.

"I was upstairs when I spotted the camera car driving down the lane," resident Paul Jacobs told The Times of London.

"My immediate reaction was anger: How dare anyone take a photograph of my home without my consent? I ran outside to flag the car down and told the driver he was not only invading our privacy but also facilitating crime.

"This is an affluent area. We've already had three burglaries locally in the past six weeks. If our houses are plastered all over Google it's an invitation for more criminals to strike. I was determined to make a stand, so I called the police."

Off topic: My favorite Google earth photo:

Drunk Australian passed out on curb caught on Google Earth

[bbinacan]

1. From a public street

is it illegal to take a picture?

[anigbrowl]

10. Depends on the country, but in general, no.

The only reason I know about this is because of working in film and TV, where the issue of whether permits are required or not comes up all the time. In most cases it's safe to assume that if you can see a building from the public highway (as opposed to a private road) it's legal to photograph it.

[bbinacan]

15. Thanks for the info. n/t

[Poiuyt]

16. And I believe there is also a difference depending on editorial vs commercial usage

[NeedleCast]

2. So many cameras in the UK one would think this is a waste of gas

[msongs]

3. google is doing it to make $$$ ny

[ret5hd]

5. what does any company do anything for?

At least this company is doing something i actually use.
(edit:typo)

[ret5hd]

4. We're rich! We deserve extra helpings of privacy!

We don't give a damn what you do on the other side of town, but you can't photograph here!

[spag68]

6. affluent town

If these affluent people are so concerned about crime, they should try to do something about the major cause of robberies which is hunger.

[depakid]

7. "Bill" is a legend!

:rofl:

(Down under it's spelled "kerb." And Bill was "off his face"- or "full as a goog").

:rofl:

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. I love the pic. Amazing that the google car driver didn't stop to call 911 or offer aid

[depakid]

13. Bill appeared quite happy where he was

for the time being... LOL.

While it might be embarrassing- it sure does beat getting in a car and risking a run up of the http://www.tacsafety.com.au/jsp/content/NavigationController.do?areaID=12&tierID=2&navID=3034B88C&navLink=null&pageID=383">the road toll

Just a thought...

[Enrique]

8. I can't wait til Broughton is available for Street View

we'll be able to see the villagers charging the camera car.

[Ikonoklast]

9. These guys play for keeps.

Broughton must be a tough town for outsiders.

[Dead_Parrot]

12. Not too popular in Edinburgh, either...

[Hekate]

14. Personally I regret the loss of privacy & anonymity, but this aspect of Big Brother is a done deal.

:shrug:

Hekate