Google Streetview – user generated imagery

The Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) was approached by a local journalist to comment on whether the group of individuals uploading ‘user generated content’ to Google Streetview was of concern from a data protection perspective, given that individuals’ identities and locations may be revealed in Streetview imagery.   

With respect to this matter, the Bailiwick’s Data Protection Commissioner, Brent Homan, offers the following comment: 

“When Google Streetview was here in 2010 the ODPA asked Google to stop filming on private roads in response to concerns it had received. Not only would this filming have been outside of the public domain, raising issues under data protection laws, but it was in contravention of Google’s own policies. Also in 2010, the data protection authority for the German state of Hamburg conducted an audit which revealed that Streetview cars had been collecting web activity from domestic Wi-Fi networks. This led to Google’s decision to pause its Streetview activities globally including in Guernsey.   

Regarding the current activity, where a small group of people are uploading imagery, it should be noted that the ‘privacy’ section of Google’s policy states that ‘under no circumstances’ should imagery be captured in private or sensitive locations, and that individuals must not publish photos or videos in which people are identifiable without their permission. 

Organisational policies aside, the ODPA would appeal to the civility of individuals to ensure they are respectful of other people’s privacy rights when recording and publishing images. You do not know what other people’s circumstances and preferences are.” 

Notes: 

• Extract of Google’s Maps Users Contributed Content Policy ‘privacy section: 
“You should not under any circumstances publish photos or videos taken from the interior of private residences or from any other publicly inaccessible locations or no photo zones. Photos and videos from other private locations should not be published without the owner’s consent. Be a good neighbour and don't publish photos or videos in which people are identifiable without their permission. This is particularly important in sensitive locations, where people may object to publishing their image.”

• Anyone who is concerned that they are identifiable in Streeview imagery should use Google’s ‘Report a concern’ tool. 

• ODPA response to previous Google Streetview visit.