Alarmed

Google: A Map to Your World

Google Maps is slick and brimming with potential. Privacy and security? If Maps will bump the stock up, who cares?

By Scott Berinato

Do you think Google Maps is a security/privacy problem? Let me know at sberinato@cxo.com

Transcript
Google PR rep Barry Schnitt's responses to our nine questions

Thanks for the questions. I have included information below that I think addresses most of your questions. I think that our privacy policy also has additional information that might help (http://www.google.com/privacy.html). Other links that might be useful are the terms of service for Google Local (http://www.google.com/help/terms_local.html) and the general Google terms of service (http://www.google.com/terms_of_service.html).

Specific to your questions about Keyhole and the satellite maps provided through Google Maps, here is some additional info:

• The images are assembled over a period of time. It is not possible to see real time changes in the images.
• The resolution of the images does not allow users to identify individual people or even features as large as cars.
• Keyhole is built from information that is already available from both commercial and public sources. The same information is available to anyone who flies over or drives by a piece of property.
• Keyhole's technology has been used for vital purposes ranging from fighting forest fires to emergency response. We believe that the benefits of access to Keyhole's imagery for such valuable purposes far outweigh any negatives from potential abuse.
• Keyhole keeps its users' personal information confidential and does not share it with third parties. Keyhole follows applicable laws and regulations concerning privacy and the handling of personal information.

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