24 April 2009 | Author: L. Sutherland Head of Media Content

The road is clear for Google Street View

In a move sure to disappoint privacy campaigners, the UK's Information Commissioner has ruled that Google Street View technology should not be stopped. The organisation found that while Google's service carries a small risk of privacy invasion it wasn't severe enough to warrant further action.

According to the BBC a spokesman for the privacy watchdog said that banning the mapping service would be "disproportionate to the relatively small risk of privacy detriment".

The Information Commissioner received 75 complaints that asked for a suspension of the service due to the fact that individual's faces could be identified from a number of Street View photos despite Google's face blurring technology.

Google has always staunchly defended Street View and when asked earlier this month whether it would consider removing the service following the complaints a representative of the search giant gave a firm "no."

The Mountain View Messiahs have however made is easy for people to remove themselves or pictures of their homes or private property from the service should they wish. The BBC reports that David Evans, the Information Commission's senior data protection practice manager said: "In a world where many people Tweet, Facebook and blog, it is important to take a commonsense approach towards Street View and the relatively limited privacy intrusion it may cause."

The Commission's decision is sure to be welcomed by Google, as well as the many UK users who've already become accustomed to using the service as an incomparably clear journey planner.

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