Google Launches Finnish Street View
A Google image of Helsinki's Senate Square and Lutheran Cathedral.
Image: Timo Nurmi
On Tuesday internet giant Google launched the Finnish version of its Street View map service, which allows users to see large sections of streets through panoramic photographs.
While Google says it has done its best to protect people’s privacy, critics say the service puts pictures of homes online for the world to see.
“If someone sees themselves, their child, license plate or home in too much detail, they can let Google know by hitting the ‘report a problem’ button,” says Google Finland’s spokesman Timo Nurmi. “It’s important that people aren’t offended by the service.”
Finland’s streetscapes were captured last year over a period of five months. Images for the service were taken using customised camera cars. The map service covers dozens of Finnish towns and cities, most of which are in southern parts of the country.
While the service is seen as a big help for travellers, critics say faces of passers-by on the sidewalk violate privacy.
“The pictures in the service are nothing more than a regular person or burglar would see walking down the street,” says Nurmi.
Street View was launched in the United States in 2007. The service, which is now available for 20 countries, has been scrutinised by privacy watchdogs around the world.
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