Google’s Street View function has been banned in Greece by an official privacy organisation until the internet giant can give more safeguards for personal privacy.
The Greek Data Protection Authority has demanded more clarification from Google on how the company will store, process and protect the original images used for the online service.
The DPA maintains its concerns, even after Google said it would blur faces and license plates.
“Simply marking the car is not considered an adequate form of notification,” the DPA said in a statement. “The authority has reserved judgement on the legality of the service pending the submission of additional information, and until that time will not allow (Google) to start gathering photographs.”
This is not the first time Google has been attacked for its Street View function, which allows users to browse roads in panoramic photographs. Last month a village in England blocked a car taking pictures for the service, until the vehicle was forced to leave.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
