Google Street View launched in NZ

Those of you under the mistaken impression that New Zealand is a land populated by sheep, may need to re-adjust their thinking thanks to the launch of Google Street View.

Those of you under the mistaken impression that New Zealand is a land populated by sheep, may need to re-adjust their thinking thanks to the launch of Google Street View.

Google launched the controversial program today that allows users from all over the globe to log into Street View and take a virtual walk down city streets.

Google has previously rolled out the software in a number of countries with mixed results – with some people finding the service an invasion of privacy.
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Google New Zealand product manager Andrew Foster said Google had consulted the Privacy Commission and offered to blur people’s faces – a concession made in other countries. Users could also ask for inappropriate images to be removed.

Foster said Street View’s coverage of New Zealand was extensive, including cities, towns, regions and remote areas. Hokitika and Greymouth would not feature initially as poor weather prevented Google’s camera-equipped cars from taking photos there.

Source: The Dominion Post