Google Earth ~~ Big Brother is watching

[ScriptMan]

For a lark, I downloaded Chrome and Google Earth a few minutes ago, zoomed in on my place and saw that the satellite had managed to capture my new last year, tomato growing bed.

That is pretty darn good resolution for general use. I bet the government could count the tomatoes on the vine and maybe even the identify the type of string I used to tie them up.

My question to you, Invasion of privacy or not?

[Haley]

I think it could definitely be used in the wrong ways, but I doubt that's how it was meant when they created it. The creators probably thought the details were so cool, but I think that maybe it should be a little less detailed...

[bocaj]

Since the pictures aren't updated I don't think it is abused or invasion. It certainly wasn't intended to be invasion of privacy. Since the images are old it can't do much. If the images were live images it would be invasion but they aren't so it isn't a big deal.

[Jim Gillum]

@bocaj...
I do not believe that the age of the picture has anything to do with invasion of privacy.....
Lawsuits have been won with old pictures......
The eyes in the sky have been working for many years......real time eyes...not old pictures....
They call it national security.....

[bocaj]

If people feel their privacy would be invaded by doing where others can see then they probably should find a better spot to do it. Yes there are live images but they aren't circulated, so the people in the pictures won't know about and their privacy isn't really breached. If they did find out it would be, but if they don't know they won't care.

[Jim Gillum]

Wonder if they can see a moon...down here from up there.....
(just sayin')

[HTMLBasicTutor]

In December 2009, Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt, declared after privacy concerns: "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place. If you really need that kind of privacy, the reality is that search engines—including Google—do retain this information for some time and it's important, for example, that we are all subject in the United States to the Patriot Act and it is possible that all that information could be made available to the authorities."

Reference at the end of this line: ^ Cade, Metz (December 7, 2009). "Google chief: Only miscreants worry about net privacy,but in 2007 this criticize correct by google.". The Register. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12...dt_on_privacy/. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
Criticism of Google - Privacy

[clydefrog]

yeah, some people are offended that their website is viewable by anyone on the internet. but it's just the same as someone walking past your house i suppose.

[pctec]

Whenever I am going to a new place that I have never been before I will use it along with street view to look at where I will be.

I also use it when I want to show people that "I know where you live!".

[andr97]

Sure it was an act of invasion, but it was made very neat and invisibly as well. And I'm curious of the fact that I can't go outside in my underwear, drinking beer and doing nothing without being searched by satellite. People fifty years ago wouldn't believe us.

[Dreamrage]

I had a look at our area in google earth a few days ago, and was happy to see that the last updated photo they had was from 2008. We don't even have those funny bits where people can get a ground eye view of the place. (lol the joys of living remotely).

I can see how people would think of it as an invasion of privacy, but at the same time I can see how much use google earth can be. As mentioned here, people use it as a reference when they travel to other countries and areas etc. Which can definitely be a great help when travelling here to where I am. Besides the fact that, to explain to someone how to get to my house can be a pain to begin with, regardless whether or not they are from another country.

[Sunfyre7896]

I also use it to find where I'm going if it's new, especially the street view of a business so that I know what's next to it and what the front of the building looks like. I like using it and when I looked up my house, my car wasn't even there as it was taken during the middle of a weekday I imagine. No one was outside, so I'm not too concerned about privacy. I guess, if someone was out sunbathing naked or whatever, then it would be more private, but empty backyards for the most part aren't really invasion. I also suppose if you had something back there to hide like something illegal or something like a bunch of motorcycles that people could see, but of all the houses around mine, I saw nothing other than some barbeque grills and swimming pools and swing sets. No one was there.

[J from Michigan]

I use it every day, to count windows on buildings before I go out and give the bid.

As for privacy invasion... I just know not to sunbathe in a thong in my front yard.
(not anymore)

[Haley]

Well, when they find out a serial killer can use it to see which houses have kids and which don't, I bet they'll make it less detailed...

[txshellie]

Big American Brother is not the only one watching. My brother works in a National Lab and they covered all the walkways a couple of years ago so the people walking around couldn't be seen from space.

So, yes they are watching, but I guess, whose to worry unless you are involved in sensitive business.

I like to use google earth to check out customers who want to place large orders or who make special requests to confirm they are a real business.

I've used it to track down someone who stole lights last year using a check-clearing loophole in paypal.... I found out that she had mailed $1000 worth of lights to her office by looking at google earth to see whereabouts they were delivered. (They were delivered to her name not a company so I had no way to track her down than to call her phone or email her email address - and she was soooo responsive.)

The address was near city hall of a small town outside of Austin. So I called city hall and asked what business was at the address that I had (since it wasn't showing up in google address). The lady was so nice, she gave me all the info I needed - including a phone number. I love small Texas towns.

I called the business where the stuff had been shipped and the packages were actually still sitting in a pile and she hadn't picked them up yet - the receptionist was under the impression she was buying packages for Christmas and she didn't want her kids to see them.

I told her a gentleman from UPS would be by the next day to pick them up since she had fraudulently purchased them and asked her to set them aside.

Then I left a courteous and informative message on her bosses' voicemail as to why someone would be picking up wreaths and LED lights from his place of business. She did manage to steal about $250 worth of lights... they always do that. Make a small order to test the waters the week of Thanksgiving and then place a second larger order when they see that they got away with it. (Always with air shipping so to add insult to injury, you're out alot of shipping as well and you can't suck them back if you figure it out.)

Oh. I think I just got sidetracked. We were talking about google earth. Well, I guess this story applies.

So. Yea, google earth. You rock.

And I'm Irish and love a good story....

[LilyEntrust]

I'll never forget the first time I showed my Dad Google Earth. I said "pick anywhere in the world you want to go." He said "Mt. Kilimanjaro." So we "went" there on Google Earth.

Then he says "Look, is that Osama Bin Laden?"

I thought it was funny.

[txshellie]

Originally Posted by LilyEntrust

I'll never forget the first time I showed my Dad Google Earth. I said "pick anywhere in the world you want to go." He said "Mt. Kilimanjaro." So we "went" there on Google Earth.

Then he says "Look, is that Osama Bin Laden?"

I thought it was funny.

Funny!!!

You can see the sphinx and the pyramids - that's fun!!! I haven't taken a look at Mt Kilimanjaro. Late tonight, maybe it's time to go "on a trip"

[LilyEntrust]

YES! It's the cheapest way to travel. The best part is looking at the different architecture / color schemes throughout Western Europe. I highly recommend it!

[ScriptMan]

Originally Posted by HaleyW

Well, when they find out a serial killer can use it to see which houses have kids and which don't, I bet they'll make it less detailed...

Turn that thought into a bestselling novel and a blockbuster movie deal. You could retire before you even start work.

[boxfiddler]

How are they 'not circulated', when anyone on the web can type in an address and see them?

You'd be amazed at how many addresses I've 'made up' that display an image of an actual place.

Originally Posted by bocaj

If people feel their privacy would be invaded by doing where others can see then they probably should find a better spot to do it. Yes there are live images but they aren't circulated, so the people in the pictures won't know about and their privacy isn't really breached. If they did find out it would be, but if they don't know they won't care.