Friday, June 13, 2014

Google maps.. a necessary intrusion?



I spotted the Google maps guy having a break by the coast a few days ago.. didn't think too much more about it until last night when I was watching a fairly heated 'discussion' :) about the fact that Google maps, in a bid to provide extra information even faster have acquired more satellite power to speed things up. Many felt that in the case of street imaging it was too much and a gross invasion of privacy. Personally it doesn't bother me but what are your thoughts on this topic.. necessary information or privacy intrusion? Happy Friday, take care and stay safe...

32 comments:

  1. I don't care one bit about it. Oh and funny story. I bought my first satellite dish back in the early 1990s. The guy who sold it today works as the local Google map photographer.

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  2. As one who has actually been photographed by Google Earth cameras and currently appear in a "street view", I can say it doesn't bother me a bit (in fact I find it kinda cool) as long as photos are taken in public places. If they somehow took photos of the inside of my house through a window however, I would find that intrusive.

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  3. It doesn't bother me either. When I was in Italy, I came across one of these cars driving up a narrow street I was walking on. I wrote the street name down so I could look it up to see if I was in the picture but, so far nothing.
    To answer your question, I drink iced tea but not hot tea. I really don't care for hot drinks at all.

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  4. I saw such a car here too recently . It's useful to have maps, when you visit a place you've never been before . But I don't like when there are people on pictures , I'm sure noone asked them, and maybe they did not want to be pictured .

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  5. No, it doesn't bother me either, we all need maps and accurate ones to be sure. It's the world we live in today. Great shot as always!!

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  6. Those who take it to misuse it for burglary etc might have a tool that makes it easier - but they´d also do their "job" without, so what?
    I love to have the possibility to see places in detail like that, just sitting here at my PC, maybe when it´s nasty weather outside. Or when one of your readers shows me where she lived in "my" town, Grace ;-)
    Your google cars look much cooler than ours!

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  7. I would moon the google camera and then they would have to call it google moon.

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  8. I think Google does worse things than make google maps. All of the data mining on the internet is a little scary. Did you know that Google also scans all emails sent through gmail in order to "customize" advertising? I find that scary.

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  9. Talk about snakes being creepy! ;-)

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  10. As a fan of maps, I find it all fascinating, but I'm not sure I'd want to be immortalized on one!

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  11. I've never seen a Google Map car in our town, but I do like seeing current images of street views, but this is in public, not private space so let them publish these views. I would not object to being included in their maps.

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  12. Grace, a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich is really good, if done correctly. It isn't diet food, but is satisfying if really hungry.

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  13. Go google maps! I have friends all over Australia (in every state!) and if they move it's great to google their new address and see their house and street. I then have a visual in mind before I eventually visit. As for myself, I haven't been bothered as I haven't yet been caught nude in the front yard as they wander down the street. LOL what a thought :)
    The other thing is real estate - I watch the real estate market and dabble in a tiny bit of investment and google mapping a potential buy has enabled me to take it further, or not.
    Have a wonderful weekend Grace! Happy Friday to you, happy Friday to you..........

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  14. Oh no, please, you don't want to know...

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  15. I use Google maps, Street, Earth and Sky all the time and rely on them. I'm not at all worried about any of them having an impact on my privacy. Like granny used to say, "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about."

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  16. Funny stuff - I just came from checking out a friend's place on Google Earth! I'm not too worried about it at all, Grace.

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  17. I have once googled maps to see my own house, it is weird to see your car placed in front of the house and the other things around. It feels a bit you are watched unexpected by strangers. I didn't like it.

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  18. Given how much I use google maps, satellites and street view, it would be hypocritical of me to criticise.

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  19. It doesn't bother me a bit, got nothing to hide, and besides I gain a lot from the info they supply .. .. .. xJoy

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  20. Hi Grace...the creation of satellites and the internet pretty much took away our privacy. Big Brother is watching us 24/7. I like the Google street maps because I can revisit places I'll never travel back to see plus I can travel in places I've never gone and never will go. I "visited" Livorno Italy a couple of years ago...great fun! And I often visit homes where I've lived since I was born. And even around town I constantly use Google to get me from "here" to "there" ... I think it would be a great job to travel around mapping the world :)

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  21. I'd be a bit wary of having them photographing me!

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  22. I always assumed that public was public - and that online is public and permanent!
    I don't put private out there, excepts in our heart-felt posts, right, Sis?


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= <3

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  23. Its problem is difficult, but, but, the car design is funny. ;)
    Thanks to post.

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  24. Just saw one here the other day too.

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  25. Oh Gawd - does this mean we have to tidy up the front yard for an updated photo!!!! Only joking... I use the maps all the time.

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  26. Necessary. We sometimes rely on Google maps to get around to new work places.

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  27. I use google maps all the time, so I think they are quite handy! Maybe they could leave out the people...
    How interesting that you actually caught a "camera car"!

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  28. They got into trouble here as they were including photos of individuals often in compromising situations and refused to take the images down.

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  29. I have not seen one of these cars, but I know they have been down my street! Nothing to hide here. Have a great W/E nippy but nice.

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  30. I have no problem at all with Google Maps. My Google issue is with having my address and phone number showing up when my name is Googled. That's going too far. If I wanted to be listed, I'd be in the phone book. It's unlisted for a reason, Google!

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  31. I so would love to see one of these camera cars. Just can't help feeling I would give a wave!

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  32. Yes, I use Google maps all the time - I can navigate with a map map, but constantly miss turns and have to backtrack etc. With google maps I can see landmarks to watch for, lane markings and more [but still need a street directory as a back-up].
    So much data mining happens we should be paranoid... but I doubt I'm overly important to anyone important. So long as it's all c'est la vie and not c'est la guerre, non?

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