Privacy International has slammed the Information Commissioner's
Office (ICO) ruling that
Google Street View does not contravene the Data Protection
Act.
The privacy watchdog said the ICO is not fit for purpose. It has
demanded a "root and branch" overhaul by Parliament.
The ICO
responded to a complaint by Privacy International by saying the
removal of the Google service would be "disproportionate" to the
relatively small risk to privacy.
"There is no law against anyone taking pictures of people in the
street," an ICO spokesman said.
The ICO has re-iterated that it is satisfied that Google is
putting in place adequate safeguards to minimise any risk to the
privacy and safety of individuals.
The ICO will be watching closely to ensure Google continues to
respond quickly to deletion requests and complaints, a spokesman
said.
Privacy International said the ICO's response proved that the
regulator has abandoned principled protections in favour of
commercial and technological popularity.
"We believe the commissioner's stance is far too pragmatic and
lacks the rigor that is necessary to protect Britain from the
encroachment of the surveillance society," said Simon Davies,
director of Privacy International.
"We challenge the incoming commissioner to find the courage to
defend the legal principle of privacy and thus restore public trust
in his office," he said.
Christopher Graham, director general of the Advertising
Standards Authority, is expected to become the next UK Information
Commissioner after Richard Thomas retires on 30 June.