Google Street View is Coming to Canada: Goodbye Privacy


As you might have already heard on the news, Google’s Street View is coming to Canada. Just in case you don’t know what Google Street View, it is a feature of Google Maps and Google Earth that pictures many streets in the world in 360°  panoramic views. In order to do so, Google mounts a sophisticated  set of cameras on cars and vans and drives around streets in cities taking detailed 360° pictures.

Many people are concerned that this will lead to a loss of privacy or they might appear on a Google Street View doing something embarrassing. Google claim that they blur out people’s faces and car license plate numbers; but if a history book on a shelf repeats itself, then here is what we’re destined for. Embarrassing pictures taken by Google Street View in other countries:

Guy getting into the adult book store

Adult Book Store

Crime in progress

Crime

Girls sunbathing

Sun Bathers

…. and way way more pictures. Just google Google Street View images and you’ll see a lot of weird images from protesters at an abortion clinic, sunbathers in bikinis, cottagers at public parks, parents hitting their children to people picking up prostitutes.

Being a geek I still think it would be cool to have Google Street View for major Canadian cities but I just wanted to point out that with such a nice tech feature there will be a little price to pay. So guys, make sure Google Street View van isn’t around next time you’re visiting that strip club 😛


35 responses to “Google Street View is Coming to Canada: Goodbye Privacy”

  1. Kitty says:

    What’s so embarrassing about sunbathing?!?

  2. ker310 says:

    LOL my husband, mother-in-law and I drove passed the Google Street View car coming home the other day. My husband knew what it was right away! I thought it was funny that we will be in the video of our Street…mind you, none of us were naked 🙂

  3. Skippy says:

    Wrap yourself in foil!
    It works to keep the Government from intercepting your thoughts!
    Or try Melonhead’s cats idea and try melon!

  4. showler says:

    If you’re in public, you have no privacy to begin with. It’s a stupid claim made by people who should know better.

  5. Webandrea says:

    yeah, i got caught by the street view car a few weeks ago downtown toronto.

  6. Sarah says:

    saw the street view car here in Guelph about a month ago, my fiancee and i were at a bus stop, and he hid behind a street pole lol

  7. Vibrantflame says:

    Personally I fail to see how this would lead to a loss of privacy. Anytime you step foot outside your door, you are in the public eye and have no privacy. If you don’t want to be caught doing embarrassing things, don’t do embarrassing things.

  8. betty says:

    anything that helps deter bad behavior of any kind is good for society

  9. Lynn says:

    It’s 1984 (Book by George Orwell)…. *sigh*

  10. sarahdarling says:

    I even saw a Google car in Pitt Meadows the other week. So it’s not just major cities either.

  11. mlongboat says:

    Yeah I know the feeling I was in the background of a newspaper shot before. They were taking a pic of the kids playing at a new splashpad and here I am(in the background)carrying my tantruming 3yo over my shoulder. Sigh.

  12. layniejoy says:

    I am addicted to this thing! I have gone to see the Hoover Dam, Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, the Eiffel Tower and even the Pantheon! lol I guess it’s not the real way, but it is really a neat idea! I actually can’t wait to re-exlore Canada with this tool.

  13. redmouse says:

    Too funny, you never know when you are on camera….so think about that the next time you go pick your nose or dig out that wedgie. =)

  14. Stephanie (esbee) says:

    A few weeks ago we saw the Google Streets car driving in our area every morning on our way to work for about 2 weeks. I guess it’s ok if you’re only caught in the act ONCE. But if Google’s cars drove around every day to keep the streets LIVE and CURRENT it would be a TOTAL invasion of privacy. LEAVE US ALONE GOOGLE! 🙂

  15. Lillian says:

    ah, cool! I haven’t caught the Google Street Car yet but if I did, I’d prob do something random like read a book upside down or dance on the spot. I think it’d be really fun finding yourself on Google Maps (provided that you know about it in the first place, haha)

  16. Lillian says:

    “who’s that crazy kid dancing around on the side of the street?”

  17. Richard says:

    I wonder how the Google cars look.

    Would be funny if the side were painted with a message that says:
    “Big Brother Is Watching YOU”

    haha

  18. night_star says:

    I have yet to see any in MTL (then again I don’t go downtown) I heard a story about a woman reconizing her husband’s car at HER friend’s house. Turns out Google caught him having an affair.

    Like someone said above, if you don’t want to get caught doing something stupid/wrong/bad/embarassing…. don’t do it to being with!

  19. anitadayoff says:

    A lot of people in the U.S. and Europe embraced the adventure and staged events. There was even someone who dressed up and played “Where’s Waldo”. Don’t know why people are so worried about their privacy being breached – if you’re not doing anything wrong, what’s the problem?! Life is short – have fun.

  20. Paul Drye says:

    Turn it around. Do what people did on Sampsonia Way in Pittburgh.

    Trust me, look that street up on Google Maps and “walk” down it looking side to side. You won’t regret it.

  21. kathyo says:

    Saw this strange car with a camera atop a tall pole some time in March. Is was driving down and around the parking lot of my kids’ school in East York. It was going so fast, I was surprised it took any photos at all. I knew right away what it was and started smiling and waving! Only I will know that that blurred-face crazy lady is me! haha

  22. Thatguyrob says:

    LOVE IT! (duh if you don’t want to be caught in the act don’t do anything illegal) but as soon as you take a step outside an enclosed area= 0 privacy. and no entering porno stores may be embarassing (why when you’re an adult?) but they are not illegal. Plus wouldnt one feel safer knowing that criminals are more easily caugth with this technology?

  23. lilTO says:

    It is an invasion of privacy. When you are outside, you are amongst strangers and most strangers don’t care where you are going or what you are doing. If it’s on the www, someone you know could recognize you. Without the spy cameras those people wouldn’t know what you were up to. What’s the point in showing images with people? They need to blur the whole image, not just the face.

  24. Sconadude says:

    Don’t get so paranoid….or unless you are a pervert and a crook.

  25. Jim says:

    Boo Radley,

    You are really weird if you think this is a big deal. So you have a picture of some guy going inside an Adult store (With his back facing you). Some guy that is climbing a wall that could be his place, and if it isnt then there is evidence of him breaking in. I am sure the homeowners would love this.

    Sunbathing is embarrassing? How old are you?

    Seriously.

    Once you are out on the street there is no more privacy. This is like me taking a picture of a park but there are people in the background, I dont have to ask for any permission.

    Grow up “Boo Radley”.

  26. Yabut says:

    There is a rumour they went through our village earlier this week!

  27. layniejoy says:

    lilTO – it’s not like it’s a live stream! These are still images taken once. If someone “recognized” you from Google Maps, what would you be doing that you don’t want seen? Anyway, there are so many webcams and “weather cams” and red light cams out in public now a days it really doesn’t make a difference!

  28. Smartnewbie says:

    I like the idea. If it helps in anyway to deter people from committing crime or doing something morally wrong, than I’m all for it.

  29. showler says:

    If you really want to avoid Google photographing you, plaster your house with Yahoo and Microsoft Bing ads.

  30. Syd says:

    I heard the other day that they actually caught a mugger using this…tyhe camera caught the mugging just as it was starting and the police were able to use photos provided by google with the faces unblurred and were able to arrest the criminals…I have no problem with them coming and taking photos, I’m not doing anything I don’t want seen on main street anyways!

  31. Ryan says:

    Its not like the sunbathers were trying to be private about it!

    Either way a great creative tool, and why would you hide if you saw the truck? wouldn’t it be nice to see yourself?

  32. Cam dude says:

    Hot live cams are my real deal , I loved your post and I will be back

  33. MARTIN says:

    Many thanks.. Still an additional amazing contribution, this can be exactly why my partner and I return for your wordpress bog constantly!

  34. Aman says:

    I think, it is OK for me. Google Street view is awesome. We are in 21st cen. Go forwards. It is amazing.
    Thanks Google

    Aman

  35. Unbelivable nice post , write more and thank you !


















  •  




  • RSS Hot Canada Deals

  • Recent Comments

  • Did You Know?

    Smart Canucks is Canada's first Canadian shopping deals blog and has been operating since 2005!



  • Join Mailing List

    Categories

    Pages

    Archives

    Find Deals by Brand!