Google takes to the streets in Vancouver

Just when you thought the internet was a scary place where personal information can be viewed by millions, Google releases it's application called Street View where now everyone can even see whether you keep up on your yard work or not.


Launched in 2007 in the United States, Google Street View offers you a three-hundred-and-sixty degree view from street level of many major cities from around the world. And as of this past Wednesday, you can now add 15 of Canada's biggest cities to that list.


Google began acquiring images in Vancouver and surrounding areas, north to Whistler and east to Chilliwack in early '07. Images are also available in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo, Calgary, Banff National Park, Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax. The photos are representative of what someone would see if they were driving down the street.


When the plan originally surfaced for Google to begin photographing Canadian streets, Canada's privacy commissioner raised concerns that the service might not comply with Canadian privacy legislation, because it would include images of identifiable people that were collected without their consent. However, the company has tried to address the privacy concerns by adding privacy features, including the automatic blurring of faces and licence plates to avoid identifying people and cars. The technology doesn't always work as expected and will sometimes blur faces on statues, billboards or even animals but completely miss a human face. However, you can easily submit an online form to have your photo removed should you find yourself while playing a game of "Where's Waldo?"


All in all, when you look past the politics, Google Street View is an amazing tool allowing you to tour foreign cities but it can also be fun to take a spin around your own city too.


Give it a try for yourself:
Go to www.google.ca and click on Maps in the upper left corner of the window. Type in your address and hit enter. Then click and drag the small orange figure that appears above the zoom control on the left side of the map to where your home is located. Scroll around and enjoy!