Are Google and Apple’s New 3-D Aerial Maps a Privacy Invasion?
- Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:36am by
Liz Klimas
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Just as Google Street View has long raised concerns about potentially invading personal privacy, the company’s new initiative sending planes into the sky to take 3-D aerial photos is no different.
Last week, Google announced it had commissioned planes to photograph swaths of major cities to conjure more realistic three-dimensional views of metropolitan landscapes in the Google Earth version of its maps. The photos taken by the planes are automatically converted into 3-D replicas using technology that Google developed for the project.
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
San Francisco will be one of the first cities to feature the more vivid 3-D imagery. Google didn’t identify other cities on its 3-D list, but said the improvements will span communities with a combined population of about 300 million.
Google Earth’s product manager Peter Birch said they are “trying to create the illusion that you are flying over the city, almost as if you are in your own personal helicopter.”
(Photo: YouTube screenshot)
Apple, which expected to end its five-year partnership with Google’s mobile maps this week according to recent reports in The Wall Street Journal and the technology blog 9to5Mac, is expected to unveil its own similar service. Apple is hosting a web developers conference today where such technology could be announced.
While Google and Apple see these offerings as the next generation in mapping systems available to mobile devices, some see it as an opportunity to invade personal privacy.
The Daily Mail compares the technology on Apple’s planes to that used against terrorists in Afghanistan with the ability to “potentially see into homes through skylights and windows.” It reports Nick Pickles for the U.K.‘s Big Brother Watch saying privacy safeguards are being ignored in the companies’ “race to the bottom”:
“The next generation of maps is taking us over the garden fence,” he warned. “You won’t be able to sunbathe in your garden without worrying about an Apple or Google plane buzzing overhead taking pictures.”
He said householders should be asked for their consent before images of their homes go online.
Amie Stepanovich, of the Electronic Privacy Information Center in America, said she believed Apple and Google would be forced to blur out homes in the same way Street View pixellates faces.
She said: “With satellite images, privacy is built in because you can’t zoom down into a garden. Homeowners need to be asked to opt in to show their property in high definition – otherwise it should be blurred out.”
Google released this video last week to accompany its announcement of the project:
Google has said this new “fly-over” capability will be available within a few weeks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Chi-Fawn
Posted on June 12, 2012 at 1:42pmGoogle street view doesn’t look in windows, it only shows what places look like. Or rather looked like since lots of ptures are from years ago and not in real time. The best things about the view is to see what neighborhoods basically look like around the world, seeing what houses or buildings people want to buy if they are in the market for any and to help people who immerse novels see what charators are looking at when street names are written about.
Report Post »becky21k
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 6:51pmRight now, the pictures on Google and Bing Birds Eye vary a lot, but they’ve improved in the last five years. It used to be I had to switch between them to see various things and some places you’d get these ancient black and white I think Russian sattelite pix with the Bing/Microsoft close up zoom. I have yet to get a zoom that will go in close enough say, to ID specific make/model/year of automobiles, except for in the Google Street View, and it only shows what you can see from the street as you drive by. I found my friend’s van where they moved 800 miles away from me with it though. She tells me that some of the pictures are good enough that her sister was out getting the mail when the picture was taken and they can tell it’s her. But the Bing photos are 5-7 years old, a lot of them, the ones of my house show a vehicle I haven’t even driven in three years, and exploring I found a big factory that had partially burned down in a fire; a search showed me that fire happened in 2005 and on the Google satellite view the building is torn down and gone. It’s amazing what you can see, but if you want to go look at a nudist camp from the air, you might be able to tell people are outside but you won‘t even be able to tell if they’re male, female, young, old or indifferent.
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 6:19pmGiven that taking pictures or video of and from public property from public property, such as sidewalks, etc., this is almost undoubtedly legal.
Report Post »leasecommander
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 4:15pmI just checked with Google maps, my current picture is about 2 years old, so unless you were naked through the skylight then, you are safe from intrusion.
Report Post »jhrusky
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 2:38pmIs there any way for the average person to know when Google is going to be collecting imagery in a specific area? I recall the original version of Google earth had some locations where people put a giant penis on a foot ball field and on a rooftop just for Google’s cameras so they had to know when it was happening.
Report Post »ronljl
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 1:34pmThe Federal Government through the NGS & USGS (US Geodetic Survey) [not including the NSA and other 'spy' agencies] and the Forest Services have been taking stereoscopic photos of most of the US for over 50 years. Where do you think those maps you have in you GPS came from, precision Aerial Photos taken on a regular basis by the government. Granted the detail is not supper great, but they have been photographing your home and property the whole time. Da_n near every county tax office of County Surveyor has photos of you property (and you if you where outside when the plane flew over). This technology has been around since before WWII and was used during the war. It’s still used in the war, but keep in mind that unless you are doing something extremely dangerous they are not going to be spending money to look “in on you.” This technology is extremely expensive to acquire and to use once you have it.
Infrared (and Doppler) are also out there and can look throw your wall to see if you are growing dope. Unless you are growing dope, don’t worry about it. Doppler watches for movement and pick up a person “walking” at 0200, These technologies have been around for a long time, always available for misuse.
Report Post »huntinwabbits
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 1:23pmDon’t leave your house if you are so scared. You do not have the right to privacy out in the public. We need to wake up and realize that. Maybe some of you should post the Miranda Rights (or variation) on your door so you remember this when you leave. Until Google is going inside your house and snapping pics, you have no say. Everyone is so quick to attack Google and the like but I have never seen anyone complain when they were in the background of someone’s picture at Disney World, etc. I can almost guarantee you that all of us on here have violated this imaginary right we think we have for someone else. It’s just as bad as those who get cell phone pics leaked that complain. You have the freedom to stay in your house. But if you choose to go out in public don’t be surprised if someone sees you. This is a non story.
Report Post »apbt55
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 4:01pmNot nearly the same, private property and disneyworld are two completely different things. This is a horrible analogy. So then the government has no right to complain when put camouflage netting above my whole property.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 5:36pmLet me ask you this. Do you have a reasonable expectation of privacy in say a bathroom stall at a public park? How about your doctor’s office located at a publicly owned clinic? Can google simply hold a camera over the privacy wall, or take it into your doctor’s appointment and begin filming and then post it on the net?
There are some times, even in public places where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Report Post »slr4528
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 11:20pmYou do realize that people will be able to view your activities in your backyard…even if you do have a fence. I think this technology will be great for stalkers,criminals who wish to case your home etc…..
Report Post »lembrandt
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 12:31pmAlso, I’ve said this before, and I think some people think I’m a little crazy for saying so, but watch out people – Google, Facebook and other such intrusive, data collection companies are pure evil. If the government were compiling such data bases on its citizens, people would be up in arms…
Report Post »XaviorOnassis
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 1:08pmFunny you should mention…I use Do Not Track Plus (a free download) and of all the websites I visit, the Blaze has more companies and networks attempting to track me than all the rest–typically 13-15 hits. Most other websites that might be a 2 or 3.
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 5:08pmFederal and state governments are limited by law regarding data mining of personal info. When a government entity needs targeted personal info, they go to LexisNexis and others to acquire what they are forbidden to collect. As information technology has developed over the last few years at an exponential pace, I believe privacy protections have been given minimal consideration due to the slow pace of legal review. The key to protecting technology that infringes on privacy concerns is to quietly gain majority public acceptance and support.; When the concerns finally surface, the case is already made that public acceptance and risk to many 3rd party applications that depend on the infringing technology will outweigh the concern for privacy. Google is a textbook example of this and they are not the only ones.
Knowledge (information) = power. And many folks think nukes are devastating. Take a few minutes to reflect: What is the potential benefit and does it outweigh the seductive temptation to abuse the power it brings? This will be the ultimate weapon. This weapon has already yielded scary results: Google technology exploited by China comes to mind, resulting in the tracking and detention of dissidents.Hmmm…..where was the justifiable oversight by our government?
Report Post »lembrandt
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 12:29pmWhat would the Nazis have given to have such images of American or British cities during World War II?
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:02amGoogle earth is bad enough. I can see my trucks, tractors, boats etc own to each and every one of my horses. come rob me right? I bought this big place on acreage in the woods for privacy not so some internet company can come snoop an show the world the layout of my land and all I own. I am sick of this. You can look anyone up on public records find the deeds to their houses an google earth them to find the property layout. its placing folks in unnecessary danger and invading my privacy.
Report Post »Jumper
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 12:28pmYou’re absolutely right! It is an invasion of privacy. For all intents and purposes they’ve come into/onto your property without permission. I think people should start suing them, and let’s take this to court. At the very least, this should be an “opt in” thing rather than an “opt out” thing. I really wish someone with the money would file a suit and see where it goes.
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:01amI must remind my self to make a rude gesture towards the sky every time that I walk outside. Perhaps it will be captured by a satellite photograph, thus ensuring my 15 min. of fame.
Report Post »Seriously though, surely some enterprising wheat field owner has maintained a “Screw Google!” field just for the satellite photo.
Walter Scott Hudson
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:54amThere is no right to privacy as such, only a right to property. You can control access to and the disposal of that which you own, i.e. build a privacy fence. You do not have a right to go unobserved.
Someone much smarter than me is going to strike it rich coming up with a means to disrupt unwanted electronic surveillance – a digital fence for your property? Something like that is the answer.
Report Post »leasecommander
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:18amI don’t hink it is “real time” is it?
Report Post »If it isn’t, your house and yard and whatever else was only photograhed once.
bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:31amDoubt it. Something people don’t realize is that they are just photos, a plane isn’t constantly flying above your house making a video. Now if that happens, then you should be worried. But I can look at my house on Google maps, and the picture is probably as recent as at least 5 or 6 years ago.
Report Post »AMENDMENT
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:44am@BPODLESNIK
I looked at the Google map 2yrs ago to see if my house was there, and all i see was the concrete pad. Now when i look i see the house and even the Chicken coup i built.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 1:02pm@ Amend, Must be different for different areas. It doesn‘t show our new boat which we got at least two years ago and it also doesn’t show our garden which has to be probably 5 years now.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 2:02pmI observed real time satellite images back in the nineties. Government programs on government computers. Don’t think for a second that you have privacy. You don’t. They see you.
Report Post »The google earth program has my car but the license is pixelated. But it wasn’t when the video was taken obviously.
jhrusky
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 2:31pm@ rayblue
How does one see a licence plate from above? Is it not bolted vertical on your vehicle?
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 6:35pmI’m referring to the google street views. I have the one that allows you to ride down the street, turn in the driveway and look around. It was implemented about a year ago. Not all cities have them. I didn’t know I had the system until a few weeks ago.
Report Post »slr4528
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:16amStalkers and criminals who case and rob homes are going to love this new technology. It should make their lives a lot easier.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:25amHow so? What is so much better for criminals about “Fly-over” then just, say, Google maps?
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:04amit gives an even more accurate layout to your home and yard. I have acreage and google maps is bad enough showing the layout to sheds barns etc an pictures of my toys so to speak. It has to stop there needs to be an opt out.
Report Post »USALakota
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:10amIt doesn’t matter if they can blur your house or face, they should not be allowed to zoom in on your home, face, car, look into your windows or anything else. It’s an invasion of your privacy. Even with blur the people who work for Google or Apple can see and that is none of there business either. This is out of control. Technology is great until it crosses the line into our private lives, without our permission.
Report Post »Delores at CH WV
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:57amThese two companies should be cited for their lawlessness againt the American People. If you are still using this Big Government products, shame on you! Only the people can stop these corrupt businesses.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:17amI use Google maps all the time. I use it to map out different routes and it’s as easy as dragging your mouse to see a different route and how many miles or how long it might be, or if there are tolls. I use it to help get a better picture of the area if I’m going to a job interview or just visiting a new place. It is such a convenience and a very helpful tool.
Yes it is good to be weary of new tech that comes out of Google, but sometimes you just have to accept something for what it is, and not live you life worrying about everything.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:56amI don’t see how this is any different then flying in a plane and looking out the window, same goes with Street view. Am I now not allowed to drive down the road or fly my plane around because I could be invading someone’s privacy? While yes, I think Google goes to far in some areas of the privacy category, I do not see anything wrong with this new “Fly-over” tech.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:31am1) You are a private individual so you are free to look out of your plane window all you would like. To see that level of detail with your naked eyes, you would risk hitting a tree with your plane
.
2) Unlike looking out of a plane (which is moving quickly) these are still photos which are detailed and can be manipulated to view all angles of the property down to 4”.
3) You are not taking pictures that can pick out the face of my cat on the porch or see into my windows.
4) None of your business, or Google’s or for that matter Apple’s, what my home looks like; You are a stranger, I didn’t invite you onto my property, much less to see my latest planting of petunias.
5) The liaisons between Google and government has become a bit too cozy
6) A publically owned street is a public venue, not everyone’s house is visible from the street.
7) My right to privacy on my own property is not negated by your “right” to navigate.
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:07amIt is the cutting edge of big brotherism. The technology will be used more and more to spy on the people. It is the slow boil of the frog…, the steady transition of government from slave to master.
Report Post »That the technology is being developed privately matters not.
Ballot_Box_Revolution
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 11:34am………And the naked eye flying over in a plane is not connected to a database that lets you know much more information about the things you are looking at……………yet………..but coming soon with the google glasses….
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 1:34pm@ Axle,
1) I think you are over estimating how well the pictures being taken are. This was not a drone flying around that took the pictures in your house and was able to map out how many steps it takes to your kitchen sink from your front door. Not to mention the closer you zoom the more blurry the image gets.
2) It is a still image. The chance someone zooming in and even being able to see through your window are slim, let alone map out the inside of your room. At best you would get a glare or a dark image.
3) I agree that Google can be a sketchy. I personally have cut back on my use on their search engine and have made a reagan email to replace my gmail.
4) In my personal opinion, I don’t really have a problem with someone viewing a picture of my house. I have nothing to hide nor am I afraid of the government or any person that chooses to view it. It is a picture that can‘t tell or show you anything that you wouldn’t be able to see if you came up and knocked on my front door.
4) My point I’m trying to get at is, I don’t think we should be in a constant state of worry now because we can view cities from our computer as if we were flying around them. These programs can be very helpful to many people. And I’m sure there have been people to use it for the wrong reason but that goes for just about anything.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 2:02pmI think you are UNDERESTIMATING. This article makes it clear that they can see into windows, and have a resolution to 4″
“Apple’s military-grade cameras are understood to be so powerful they could potentially see into homes through skylights and windows.”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2157150/Google-Apple-use-planes-film-sunbathing-garden.html#ixzz1xVcUd1m6
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2157150/Google-Apple-use-planes-film-sunbathing-garden.html
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 2:46pmDid you even read the full article? These are all from the same article:
“Little has been revealed about the technology involved in the spy planes used to capture the aerial images.”
“This means that when users ‘zoom in’, details tend to be lost because of the poor image quality.”
“Like Google Maps, the resulting images would not be streamed live to computers but would provide a snapshot image of the moment the camera passed by.”
“‘With satellite images, privacy is built in because you can’t zoom down into a garden. Homeowners need to be asked to opt in to show their property in high definition – otherwise it should be blurred out.’”
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 5:13pmGoogle is using planes with the hi-def cameras, Apple is apparently using satellites.
“Google admits it has already sent planes over cities while Apple has acquired a firm using spy-in-the-sky technology that has been tested on at least 20 locations, including London”
\
“The U.S. technology giants are racing to produce aerial maps so detailed they can show up objects just four inches wide”
Since the two aspects of the article we sited are in confli, would it lead you to believe that somebody stands to benefit from keeping the uproar of the public to a minimum by making it seem innoculous?
Report Post »3katmomma
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:55amI have run into a problem with google maps, and the others, as they show my driveway, which is a private farm road, as an extension of a dead end street. There have been quite a few people following directions they supply going down the farm road to try to get to this dead end street. They don’t seem to care about any legal ramifications I face, as a home owner, if someone should follow their incorrect directions, and get hurt. They also have my street address pinpointed in a field about 3 doors down.
Report Post »There is no way I can correct their error (as I do not have a gmail account), I have tried a number of times.
I really don’t trust google, or other map providers. However, to the matter at hand, I believe the courts have decided that you cannot expect complete privacy in a public place.
AxelPhantom
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:00amYou can always try what we did, put a locked gate up.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:05amExactly, if you are continuously having cars go down a private farm road, then put up a locked gate. I’d also like to hear how you know that they were led that way due to Google maps.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:50amAn exhibitionist’s dream come true.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 10:01amOr a voyeur’s dream….
Report Post »Talent-Keyhole
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 9:49amI’ve been going out in the back yard in my birth day suit for several days now, hoping they get a nice photo of me. Been checking, but nothing yet even though I definitely had “Something” to show dat camera … oh yeah ..
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