Right: Google has responded to claims of breached privacy by introducing software capable of scanning photographs and blurring faces - in this case, those of Darth Vader and an Empire Stormtrooper.
web links and documents
Note to Victorian students and teachers: this issue bridges the 2008/2009 VCE issues period as some of the Internet media coverage cited is from before September 1, 2008 and some is from after. The first six Internet sources given here are post September 1, 2008 and therefore suitable for use by VCE students as 2009 sources. Four of these articles orginated in Australia; the other two form the United States. Please check with your teacher whether the American material can be used.On September 1, 2008, ZDNet Australia published an article titled, 'Google defends privacy credentials'. The piece details Google's attempt to defend its privacy credentials following a claim by Microsoft's privacy chief last week that the search giant was a decade behind Microsoft when it came to privacy. The full text of the article can be found at http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Google-defends-privacy-credentials/0,130061744,339291721,00.htm
On September 1, 2008, the Australian online search directory TrueLocal issued a media release titled,'TrueLocal launches virtual maps with Google Street View'
The article claims that the online search directory has become the first search directory to adopt the Google Street View technology and one of the first websites to do so in Australia. The piece promotes the value of Street View. It can be read in full at http://www.newsdigitalmedia.com.au/files/media_releases/TrueLocal%20introduces%20new%20Google%20Street%20View.pdf
On September 10, 2008, PR Newswire, United Business Media, published an article outlining the position being taken by a variety of groups in the United States which consider Google Street View a risk to child safety. The piece is titled, ' Campaign to Highlight Child Safety Concerns Over Google's 'Street View' Gains Momentum' The full text can be found at http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-10-2008/0004882655&EDATE=
On September 19, 2008, the Australian Internet site Webdiary Patron Power published an opinion piece from a Sydney University Journalism Masters student, Larissa Varela, titled 'Google Street View: Bloody unreal!' The piece defends Google Street View against claims that it is an invasion of privacy. The full text of the piece can be found at http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/2518
The article is followed by over twenty reader comments.
On September 24, 2008, CBS News published an opinion piece by Larry Magid, in which he challenges the claim that Google Street View assists paedophiles target their victims. The piece is titled 'Google Street View a Child safety Threat?'. The full text can be read at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/scitech/pcanswer/main4476827.shtml
On September 26, 2008, CNR Australia posted on its Internet site an opinion piece by Matthew Powell titled, 'Warning: Google knows the street where you live'. The article suggests that fears about the invasion of privacy are exaggerated. The full text of the article can be read at http://www.crn.com.au/Feature/5003,warning-google-knows-the-street-where-you-live.aspx
In April 2008 the Australian Privacy Foundation issued a statement indicating its position on Google Street View. The full text of this statement can be read at http://www.privacy.org.au/Papers/StreetView-0804.html
On July 12, 2008, the British newspaper The Sun published an article by a former burglar detailing how Google Street View could assist thieves. The article is titled, 'Google view is good for thieves'. The full text can be read at http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1414121.ece