When Google sent cars outfitted with cameras into the streets of five major US cities, it probably didn't expect to snap photos of people breaking into homes and large women wearing scanty underthings. But that's what you'll find on Google Maps' new Street View feature. The idea was to augment Google Maps with 360 degree views of neighborhoods in the Bay Area, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, and New York, with more ci When Google sent cars outfitted with cameras into the streets of five major US cities, it probably didn’t expect to snap photos of people breaking into homes and large women wearing scanty underthings. But that’s what you’ll find on Google Maps’ new Street View feature. The idea was to augment Google Maps with 360 degree views of neighborhoods in the Bay Area, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, and New York, with more cities to follow. And in that it succeeds admirably. In fact GSV has temporarily supplanted YouTube as the web’s newest time wasting craze. There are now sites where you can contribute new and fascinating tableaus you found on GSV.But Google also captured more than it probably bargained for. Panorama can quickly turn to paranoia if you’re one of the poor unfortunates Google caught getting a speeding ticket, or the guy who appears to be breaking into a San Francisco apartment house, or the tall gentleman walking into an adult book store in Oakland’s Chinatown. (You know, he looks awfully familiar… isn’t he a teacher? A priest? An elected official?) Any of these folks can ask Google to remove their photos. According to Google’s Kate Hurowitz, Each Street View imagery bubble contains a link to “Street View Help” where users can report objectionable images…. Users who want to report an image they find objectionable can do so by clicking on the “report inappropriate image” link. They will be asked to verify their identity. The image will be removed while their claim is verified. If found to be inappropriate or sensitive the image will be removed permanently. Well, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. I asked Google to remove a photo of a San Francisco woman wearing a thong when significantly more fabric was required to do the job, but as far as I can tell it was never removed. Ditto for a pair of cats I found loitering in a window in Mountain View. Fact is, it’s entirely up to Google whether these images get scrubbed. Google says GSV isn’t violating personal privacy because it only captures things that are already in public view. But in real life these things don’t remain in public view. On Google Street View, they do – until Google removes it or revisits that part of town. That guy will always be walking into the same adult bookstore; that thong will always be two sizes too small. Right now Google seems less like Big Brother and more like Gladys Kravitz in Bewitched – the nosy neighbor always peeking at you from behind her curtains. But the day images from Street View get introduced as evidence in a civil or criminal trial, that will all change. When you least expect it, you’re elected. Whether you want to be or not.Been caught doing something naughty by Google? Spill the beans below or email me here. Submitters of the juiciest stories may receive a screaming yellow Cringe bag that can be spotted at 200 yards. Software DevelopmentSmall and Medium Business