Comments on: Is it possible to file a law suit against google- maps for violating my privacy?

By: ♫ McMellie

♫ McMellie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

I doubt it. And it's not just Google; MSN, Yahoo, and other search engines make it easy to get a satellite view of where you live, what the neighborhood looks like, and so on.

It's creepy, and it's our Big Brother coming to light. Way too many cameras if you ask me.

By: verybizzy2000

verybizzy2000 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

No. You don't own the airspace that high up over your home. People are allowed to take pictures as long as they do it from public space.

By: ssnmielke

ssnmielke — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

I doubt you can sue them because you have to look at it from the perspective of being able to sue someone if they drove by your home. That is not going to stand up in court. Now if they could see inside your home that would be a different issue you could sue for. Also, many other online maps like yahoo and msn do the same thing.

I know it's just too much for people to see. Sorry.

By: iluvcrippy

iluvcrippy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

Many people have tried, many people have failed.

But if u do contact google and tell them to delete your property picture they will.

By: asnakeny

asnakeny — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

Possibly: the law on this is very much untested. There is a case currently pending in court (see link below) where a couple is suing Google over this feature. However, the suit provides a novel element (which is why the law is unclear) in that the couple's house is on a privately owned road (and they thus claim that Google would have had to trespass on their private property to collect the image of their home).

If your house is on a public street, it's highly likely that your proposed lawsuit would fail, as images taken from public property are generally not considered to be violations of privacy.

By: Les_Football_Mom

Les_Football_Mom — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

Some one is trying

"When Google launched its Google Maps, Pentagon said the images on the site could pose a threat to national security. Now, a couple from western Pennsylvania believes that the company’s “Street View” has violated their privacy. Christine and Aaron Boring filed a lawsuit against the search engine giant Google at the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County stating that they made the decision to buy their $163,000-worth house because they need privacy.

According to the lawsuit, the Borings alleged Google as taking pictures from what was labeled as “private property”. The couple stated that not only did the images from Google’s Street View caused their family distress, it also devalued their property.

In 2007, Google added the “Street View” feature to Google maps, allowing users to glimpse various views in cities throughout the United States from ground level. Although this feature is only being offered in the U.S., the company has plans to make this feature functional worldwide.

“Anyone can get Google to remove the images if they have a good reason to back up their request. We absolutely respect that people may not be comfortable with some of the imagery on the site. We actually make it pretty easy for people to submit a request to us to remove the imagery,” said Google spokesperson Larry Yu.

Instead of a request from Google, the Borings’ lawyer chose for litigation, saying the company should be stopped from “invading privacy” and doing similar things in the future."

Good Luck

By: eclectic_78

eclectic_78 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

No, it isn't. And considering Google is a corporate giant, I'm quite sure that they have numerous lawyers who advise them on their every move. If showing aerial photos of people's residences was a suable offense, I highly doubt that they would be doing it. They would not bring such a substantial legal and financial risk upon themselves. But the bottom line is, it's not a suable offense.
Are you really that concerned? Anyone can drive by your house and see what's in your yard, anyway. You'll have to put a circus tent over your whole property if you want to hide it from the world.

By: Yash

Yash — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

No you cant . and i think it's a waste of court time anyway. if i drive by your house and see it, how am I violating your privacy. It's the same with a satellite, how does that violate your privacy, if i can't see in your house. Filing lawsauits just to get a PAYDAY is not cool and it's a waste of taxpayers money. Just like the lady who dumped hot coffee on her leg and sued Mc Donalds, she knew it was hot , so give us a break here.

By: caffeyw

caffeyw — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:35:47 +0000

Of course not. If this where illegal everyone would have to close their eyes when out in public. (Scary thought they might be better drivers then some out there now) Anyway as long as they film from public property there is NO right of privacy expected. If they had to enter private property to get the picture then yes there would be a violation.