In an attempt to quash privacy fears, Google has started blurring the faces of people displayed on its controversial Street View software.
Street View, which was launched last year, is an add-on to Google Maps and Google Earth that offers photographs of streets and cities in the US.
However, the software raised a number of privacy concerns regarding how identifiable people and houses were in the images. Among the complaints Google received were those regarding a man pictured exiting a San Francisco strip club and a woman sunbathing.
Video: The Sights of Google Streets
The search-engine is testing face-detection technology, which will blur the faces of those caught on camera in Manhattan. If the technique proves successful, it will be rolled out to other areas.
Google software engineer, Andrea Frome said in a blog: "This effort has been a year in the making."
"Working at Street View-scale is a tough challenge that required us to advance state-of-the-art automatic face detection, and we continue working hard to improve it as we roll it out for our existing and future imagery."
- Sponsored Resource:Learn about storing and securing your data before disaster strikes.
- Sponsored Resource:Learn more about ultra light notebooks from Asus and the best warranty in the industry.
- Sponsored Resource:How much processing power do you need? Intel can help you decide.
- Sponsored Resource:Thinking about a new Laptop? Lenovo has models to meet everyone's needs.
- Sponsored Resource:Get the truth about remanufactured ink. Learn more from HP.
- Sponsored Resource:Small budget, big impact. Create Brochures that pop with HP laser jets printers.
- Sponsored Resource:Six smart ways to grow small business IT
News For Your Business
- Firefox 3 Boosts Market Share to New High
- Google Fights Child Porn on Orkut
- Web Service Lets Drivers Prepay Gas at Lower Price
- Google Bows to Pressure, Adds 'Privacy' Link to Home Page
- Sun Sheds Light on Telework Savings
Community Comments