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Google streetview - progress or "serious privacy concern"?
Internet camera car has been taking street-level photographs across Bedford
A controversial internet camera car has been taking street-level photographs across Bedford, sparking concerns about privacy.
Web giant Google's Street View car was seen on the A600 between Shortstown and Cardington on Monday.
The distinctive car takes images of streets across the world and uploads them onto Google Street View, allowing web users to 'walk' through neighbourhoods at eye level.
But it has been claimed the internet tool could invade people's privacy and compromise their safety.
Henry Vann, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Bedford, said: "From my point of view there are really serious privacy concerns.
"There has been a case in Watford of someone in a witness protection scheme being found. It's those people who have a real need for privacy that there is a real concern for.
"At the very least we need the guarantee that faces and number plates of cars will be blocked."
The car has high-resolution, 360-degree cameras mounted on its roof.
Campaign group Privacy International claimed the website breached the privacy of people caught on camera but the complaint was rejected by the independent Information Commissioner's office last month.
Mr Vann added: "Two German tourists got arrested in London for taking a photo of a red bus under anti-terror legislation.
"There are clear double standards there, as the government has done nothing to stop Google photographing streets."
Nationwide, embarrassment has been caused for people captured on Google's images, such as customers caught leaving sex shops and a man vomiting in the street.
But for others it has been more than just embarrassing. One woman who spent years moving homes to avoid a violent ex-boyfriend was pictured going into her new house.
Bedford Borough councillor Charles Roydon said: "We have to make sure this powerful technology is regulated in the correct way and does not affect our civil liberties.
"We realise we cannot stop the onward march of technology and it will have its uses.
"But it also has a darker side and we need to make sure it is not used by criminals."
Google will normally blur personal details, such as car registrations, and anyone can ask to have images of themselves, their children, car or house removed completely from Google Street View.
A spokesman for Google said: "We take privacy incredibly seriously.
"We've had so many emails saying come to our area or thanks for coming to our area.
"It's been more overly a positive response than a negative one.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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