So is this the first lawsuit to be brought to Google over Street View?
When Street View first came on the scene, the first thing I thought was: Who is going to be the first person to sue Google over a picture of their house. I thought that maybe Streetview would catch a revealing picture. Like if you hang your clothes out to dry and the Google guys caught a snapshot of your tidy whities. This case is not quite like this, I think the scenario I mention would be more entertaining than the actual case brought on. The couple suing Google, claims that the Google van drove into a “private” road and then took pictures of their house. This is the reason why they’re suing.
There is controversy as to whether the street is really private. It’d be interesting to see how this develops. It could be a case that will set precedence for future “privacy violations.” Remember folks, the Constitution does not guarantee privacy like it does for example freedom of speech.
The lawsuit, filed in Allegheny County court on April 2, claims there was a private road sign on their street that Google should have honored. It claims that Googles “reckless conduct” has “exposed plaintiffs private information to the public.”
Looking at the turnoff to Pittsburghs Oakridge Lane on Google Street View, though, shows a street sign but no obvious private road warning–meaning that, perhaps, any sign didnt exist when the Google van drove by.
related: Oakridge Lane, controversy, interesting, case, freedom of speech
1Steve K on Apr 24, 2008 at 4:57 pm:
I love “Related posts: Stop this nonsense” :-).
2Oscar on Apr 30, 2008 at 9:09 am:
hahaha. yeah these “related posts” are something else sometimes.