Google Street View Cars Are Back in Germany With New Data Privacy Regulations

John Lopez, Tech Times 09 June 2023, 08:06 am

Google Maps Street View feature is returning to Germany after a hiatus of over a decade. Initially met with skepticism and legal challenges surrounding privacy concerns, Google halted the rollout of Street View in Germany back in 2011, leaving only a fraction of the country's major cities covered.

However, on June 22, Google will resume its efforts to capture updated imagery of the German landscape and urban centers while adhering to stringent data privacy regulations, AndroidPolice tells us in a report.

Street View Cars Traversing Germany Soon

In an official announcement on the German Keyword blog, Google revealed its plans to dispatch Street View cars throughout the country, systematically recording and capturing images that will be published in batches over the following months.

Learning from past experiences, Google has collaborated with a German government privacy agency to ensure the new Street View imagery complies with the country's data privacy standards.

One key requirement is the deletion of older images, limiting the ability to explore historical views of Germany compared to other countries where extensive archival imagery is available.

To address privacy concerns, Google is allowing individuals to opt out of Street View coverage. Users can pixelate their homes or businesses by selecting this preference, effectively obscuring them from the Street View database.

As Google starts afresh with its data collection, those who had previously obscured their properties must submit a fresh request to ensure continued privacy.

Google says more updates about the planned recording are available here.

Updating Old Street View Germany Data

The existing Street View imagery in Germany has become increasingly outdated, making it difficult to accurately recognize many streets and buildings.

Even Google Germany acknowledges this issue in the blog post above, showcasing how its Munich offices, for instance, are conspicuously absent from the 2008 Street View images that are still accessible today.

Throughout the years, however, Street View cars have continued to roam German roads, utilizing the captured data to enhance Google Maps with more precise information such as house numbers, intersections, traffic lights, and lanes.

Recent Updates

Since Google paused its Street View efforts, significant developments have taken place. Apple quietly introduced its version of Street View, Look Around, into the German market, presenting users with an alternative option for exploring locations.

Moreover, a recent study cited by Google in May 2023 indicates that over 90% of Germans hold a positive view of Street View. With such promising statistics and evolving attitudes toward the service, Google's return to Germany may prove more successful this time around.

While Google remains committed to privacy compliance, it seeks to strike a delicate balance between capturing valuable visual data and addressing the concerns of privacy advocates.

As Street View becomes an integral part of Germany's digital mapping ecosystem again, residents and tourists can anticipate a more immersive and up-to-date exploration experience, bringing the world to their screens with greater accuracy and detail.

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