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Google's Street View Meets Resistance In France

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the not-surrendering dept.

Ian Lamont writes "Google has begun to scan the streets of Paris as part of its Street View service, but the company may be hindered from publishing them unedited. The reason? French privacy laws. Google may be forced to blur faces or use low-resolution versions of the photographs. The Embassy of France in the US has a page devoted to French privacy laws, that says the laws are needed to 'avoid infringing the individual's right to privacy and right to his or her picture (photograph or drawing), both of them rights of personality.'"

8 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. Re:When in Rome... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...can't imagine them putting up too much of a fight...
    so you think THEY will surrender to FRANCE?!

    brain... hurt...
  2. Re:Obligatory Frog Jab by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    If a Parisian is concerned their face may be seen, they should just baguette.

  3. Re:Easily contourné by mrbluze · · Score: 3, Funny

    They were warned (by signs, guards, etc.) and they got in (conversely, egomaniacs might not see it as a bad thing to have their faces on Google Maps). Maybe the guards should be nightclub bouncers and then we can be fairly sure that only eye-candy-people get to be in the photos. Good for tourism.
    --
    Do it yourself, because no one else will do it yourself. [beta blockade 10-17 Feb]
  4. Re:When in Rome... by exley · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why exactly? Google is a U.S. based corporation, right? So if anything, shouldn't the people that should have to worry about laws be Parisians, not Google? Well, the rhetorical fellating of Google has reached a new height around here.

  5. Re:When in Rome... by martin-boundary · · Score: 4, Funny

    Get with the program. Ever since they elected Bush's lickspittle Sarkozy as their new president, the old rules no longer apply to the French. France is now one of the most badass military superpowers in the galaxy, and Google had better watch out.

  6. Re:When in Rome... by Bloke+down+the+pub · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'd expect them to follow French laws when doing business in France.
    Why? The French certainly don't bother.
    --
    It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.
  7. Re:When in Rome... by 0xC2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Forget France and Sarkozy, Google streetview needs to worry about running into the Overreaction Guy in San Francisco.

    --
    Be heard || Be herd
  8. Re:Easily contourné by GravityStar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dear Google, If you ever set foot in France, you will be arrested. Regards, the French Republic