Gang of villagers chase away Google car

[Yvlla]

(CNN) -- Google's ambitious plan to offer a 3-D street level view of communities across three continents hit a snag when angry residents of a UK village blocked the search engine's camera car from photographing their homes.

Fearing the appearance of their well appointed properties on the Web site would attract criminals scouting for burglary targets, villagers in Broughton, north of London, summoned the police after spotting the car.

"I was upstairs when I spotted the camera car driving down the lane," resident Paul Jacobs told The Times of London.

"My immediate reaction was anger: How dare anyone take a photograph of my home without my consent? I ran outside to flag the car down and told the driver he was not only invading our privacy but also facilitating crime.

"This is an affluent area. We've already had three burglaries locally in the past six weeks. If our houses are plastered all over Google it's an invitation for more criminals to strike. I was determined to make a stand, so I called the police."

Google's Street View project to map 360-degree images of roads and homes across the world has generated numerous complaints over privacy, despite automated software that blurs faces and car licence plates.

A Google spokesman, quoted by the UK Press Association, said: "Embarking on new projects, we sometimes encounter unexpected challenges, and Street View has been no exception.

"We know that some people are uncomfortable with images of their houses or cars being included in the product, which is why we provide an easy way to request removal of imagery. Most imagery requests are processed within hours."

The spokesman added: "We take privacy very seriously, and we were careful to ensure that all images in our Street View service abide by UK law."

[Chicken Little]

Already had ours removed, there's still 1 view from the adjoining address but by and large no more pictures of our house on google.

But yeah I said at the time it would have been great to have some manner of opt out before instead of after since this just smacks of arrogance in that Google thinks it can just drive around and photograph everything to freely distribute to everyone.

[Lancet Jades]

Originally Posted by Flyflute

Already had ours removed, there's still 1 view from the adjoining address but by and large no more pictures of our house on google.

But yeah I said at the time it would have been great to have some manner of opt out before instead of after since this just smacks of arrogance in that Google thinks it can just drive around and photograph everything to freely distribute to everyone.

I thought you were a socialist.

[Chicken Little]

Originally Posted by Lancet Jades

I thought you were a socialist.

I only voted them and am impartial to them.

Then the economy went to shit and I lol'd.

Either way, whatever my political point, it is not those of society and Australia.

[horrible]

Angry villagers taking action = win.

[Altima]

Originally Posted by horrible

Angry villagers taking action = win.

It is just too bad they didn't come out with fire and pitchforks.

[Yvlla]

Originally Posted by Altima

It is just too bad they didn't come out with fire and pitchforks.

Pretty much my thoughts.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by horrible

Angry British villagers taking action = win.

Fixed.

[Zelphiel]

How dare anyone take a photograph of my home without my consent?

isn't it legal to do that if you do it from the street or other publicly owned property?

[Chicken Little]

Originally Posted by Zelphiel

isn't it legal to do that if you do it from the street or other publicly owned property?

In most cases. There are regions in which no one can take pictures of any type at certain buildings without facing incarceration.