Google Japan is to help victims ofStreet Viewphoto abuse and take action against
offending third-party websites.
The first-of-its-kind move comes after continued public concern
in Japan over privacy rights violations involving Street View and a
government investigation.
There have been complaints about secondary sites using Google's
photos maliciously for purposes such as bullying.
Google Japan said it would send requests to the sites for
removal of maliciously used Street View images, according to
media reports.
The internet firm may also block offending sites from Google's
search engine and consider legal action for those sites which
ignore or refuse the request to remove offending images.
Google introduced Street View in Japan in 2008, and currently
has 360-degree images in several cities, but was forced to lower
the height of cameras and reshoot images in May 2009 after
privacy-related complaints.
The Japanese government has reportedly told Google that it has
to give advanced warnings to local governments and citizens
whenever it records images for Street View.
Google will would also have to provide an easy means to request
removal of images for people who do not have internet access and
increase awareness of the Street View images.
Google Japan has announced it will be distributing information
pamphlets and has opened a call centre to handle questions about
Street View.
Privacy groups
raised concerns about Street View when it was introduced to the
UK in March , but privacy watchdog the
Information Commissioner's Office said Google was taking enough
steps to ensure privacy.