Topics: Google

North Oaks, Minn., To Google: Get Lost

Posted by Eric Zeman, Jun 2, 2008 09:50 AM

Google's Street Views has caused a fair amount of controversy since its debut in 2007. Many have claimed that it violates basic privacy of everyday citizens going about their business who happen to be photographed by Google's crew. This time, an entire town has demanded that Google remove imagery of it from Google Street Views.

North Oaks, Minnesota, is an enclosed and resident-owned community just north of St. Paul. Turns out North Oaks' residents value their privacy more than most, and have signs posted around the community that declare "No Trespassing", as well as stating that the community is private property. You'd think such a community would be gated. I mean, if you're going to bother putting a wall around the entire town, why not put a gate, too? Well, North Oaks removed the gate to its tiny little town nigh 25 years ago.

With no gate preventing a Google Street Views driver from entering the community, he likely figured it was just like hundreds of other similar communities spread across the United States and proceeded to photograph away.

Once North Oaks found out that pictures of its sleepy little burg were posted on the Internet, it contacted Google immediately and demanded that all the imagery associated with the town be removed ASAP. The Tech Herald reports that the town's mayor, Thomas Watson, believes the town's rights were violated, as its "no trespassing" signs are not a polite request, but the law. Speaking to a Canadian Press outlet, he said, "It's not the hoity-toity folks trying to figure out how to keep the world away. Google really didn't have any authorization to go on private property."

Amazingly, Google bowed to the town's wishes.

Recently, Google has started blurring the faces of people captured by Street Views cameras. It also is facing several lawsuits regarding the services, which have yet to be decided.

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