Those 3D Google Maps - Can you 'opt out?'

[sam_m]

Was just searching for a post code in my local area, when I came across a site with aerial photos from Google Maps, but also the 3D map in the corner, so I thought I'd give it a go.

Turns out it's pretty accurate, but surely there's a security risk with this information?

Yes, the pictures were taken about 6 months ago so they're not up to date, but for instance:

-My girlfriend's house often has some very expensive cars on the drive, (as it happens, not on the day the 3D images were taken), but you can zoom right in on cars, gates, doors, security card readers etc. I realise number plates are blanked out, but I'm sure you get the point.

-Also, at my house (on the day in question), my car's on the drive and my Dad's car's not. Now anyone that knew the family or happened to be watching would know that that means it's highly likely the house is empty.

I see that this technology can be very useful for people (and I'm particularly bad with maps/directions), but I wonder how they deal with the security aspect of it? Also, where do they get the pictures from? Is it Police monitored, or do they have a Google van that just goes around doing it?

I realise it's not much good if people start opting out, as a map with big blank holes in is pretty useless, but how do you feel about not being asked about it?

Thoughts?

[Sporky_McGuffin]

Anyone wanting to steal things could see all that by walking past the house - Streetview is months out of date (at least 18 months for my road).

I'd be very surprised if burglars really use Streetview.

On the other hand, I've used it at work quite a bit, and caught three sets of fraudsters with it. If we'd not checked we'd potentially be out about £100k.

[WYNIR0]

Anyone can wander down my street and have a look at, or takea photo of the outside of my house at any time, I don't see it as any different from that really.

In answer to your question google have a car that drives round doing it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Street_View

[sam_m]

Yeah, I was thinking more from the perspective of my girlfriend's Dad, who is (very rightly) mad about security. You can't see into the driveway or gardens that well from the road but the StreetMap view let's you look right over the hedge.

I doubt there are hoardes of criminals working their way through the area, but it's a resource that's easily availible nonetheless.

Plus, it's creepy looking at your own house from an interweb.

[timmyo]

I had no intention of burgling your gf's Dad's gaff, but you keep making it sound like it's worth a punt

[sam_m]

[scrumhalf]

Presumably there's a direct line to Old Bill so that if you have a 3D look at one of those places in central London where the police stop you for taking a photo you'll get a warning and an instruction to delete stuff from your hard drive.

[manicguitarist2]

More concerning is the report that Google have also been wardriving as they took the pictures. I.e. they've been recording SSIDs and other information from wifi access points and plan on publishing those as part of google street view.

[BapAndFuro]

Street view has caught some rather strange images: :P

clicky

[Grunfeld.]

More concerning is the report that Google have also been wardriving as they took the pictures. I.e. they've been recording SSIDs and other information from wifi access points and plan on publishing those as part of google street view.

Would they still be able to get the info if your wireless router is secure?