Google stalking tool?

**Snoopiesgirl** · 11-05-2007, 10:58 AM

Let me say I do enjoy Google Earth and am a frequent user of google maps.

However, this being said, I was a little disturbed today when pulling up a map from google search. I am toying with the idea of buying a summer home in PA near my parents and moving to Virginia. So as I was looking at a street on the map I noticed you could click street view (which I had never seen before) upon clicking it I found I was looking at a 360 view of that street! And the picture was not at all dated by one of the cars that was in the picture.
I have so far found this works in New York city and Pittsburgh Pa but not in Baltimore yet. Where I was looking was a small suburb 20 mins outside of Pittsburgh. While this may make finding things while driving a bit easier (as womens directions are very visual) Isn't this a bit dangerous in the wrong hands?>

Hell my old highschool was able to be viewed! And New York City--- Hello! 9-11!!!
Not that I want to come off as a conspiracy theorist but how far off till they can see me in the shower

**TheAlien** · 11-05-2007, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Snoopiesgirl

Not that I want to come off as a conspiracy theorist but how far off till they can see me in the shower

What are those coordinates again?

Actually, there was an issue with some of that and as a result they have to black out (fuzz) areas where the military are. But I can't see them doing that to general areas where possible targets may be. It would be too difficult and too encompassing.

**Nectar** · 11-05-2007, 08:20 PM

First it will need live feed. What you see now is just dated photographs. My house isn't on there yet and I've been living here for three years. Next it will need X-Ray vision.

**ChairoNoMe** · 11-05-2007, 08:34 PM

I understand that there's a law that says you can only print photos zoomed in so far to protect individual privacy. Notice on Google Earth you cannot make out any person's face, read the license plate on a car, or even read a stop sign. That combined with the fact that the imagery is dated pretty much prevents it from being used by the wrong people(tm).

Heck, Google Earth still shows my apartment complex as a few ditches and some concrete foundations, and I've been living here over a year. So I don't think there's really anything to worry about.

**TheAlien** · 11-05-2007, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Nectar

First it will need live feed. What you see now is just dated photographs. My house isn't on there yet and I've been living here for three years. Next it will need X-Ray vision.

Originally Posted by ChairoNoMe

Heck, Google Earth still shows my apartment complex as a few ditches and some concrete foundations, and I've been living here over a year. So I don't think there's really anything to worry about.

Again, to both of you, it's a matter of what's possible in the future. Do either of you think what she's suggesting isn't possible? Kind of small minded, don't ya think? Just because it isn't possible now, doesn't make it impossible in the future. Why don't you guys see any farther in the future then what you've read in the paper that has already happened? Geesh!

**Turbo2Xs** · 11-05-2007, 08:50 PM

In terms of this kinda stuff you need to keep this in mind: "The eye can commit no trespass" and "One has no reasonable expectation of privacy in public" to which I agree to a point.

As much as I hate celebrities for their exaggerated notions of self worth, I totally disagree with the paparazzi method of exploitation. But with that being said, it isn't illegal. Unless a camera were to be "specifically and continually" isolated on a given area and access available in real (or near) time, there is no real wrong (as such). Think street web cams that have been popular for years.

Still... makes me very uncomfortable...

**Nectar** · 11-05-2007, 08:56 PM

You're kinda right. I don't like the idea of being visited by the police because someone spied me with google earth spying on people with google earth.

**Snoopiesgirl** · 11-05-2007, 09:07 PM

This is Grant and 5th in Pittsburgh.. right next to the court house. Hmmmm... yep not comfortable one bit.

**Turbo2Xs** · 11-05-2007, 09:15 PM

I have no problem with that pic: "No reasonable expectation of privacy" exist there and hence, no law broken, no one hurt.

**yuckymucky** · 11-05-2007, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Turbo2Xs

I have no problem with that pic: "No reasonable expectation of privacy" exist there and hence, no law broken, no one hurt.

I am also failing to see what the big deal with that picture is. Sure Google maps in the wrong hands can be a bad thing, but so can a phone book, and as we all know so can a flight simulator. I just don't think that it is a big deal.