Google Starts Listening to Its Users

The recently debuted Google Maps feature, Street View, created a major controversy in the Internet world after the mapping utility started showing some private pictures with the US residents. Some of the users accused the Mountain View company of privacy violation while others sustain the search giant cannot be criticized as long as the photos are captured from the street and not from sensitive locations. Obviously, it was just a matter of time until Google takes attitude. Today, the parent company decided to remove some of the photos published on Google Maps Street View and roll out a special function that allows the users to demand the removal of a certain picture.

As Search Engine Roundtable reported, all you need to do is open a desired picture with Street View and press the Help link. The last feature entitled "Report Inappropriate Image" allows you to request the removal of a certain photo. "Google takes concerns about its services very seriously. Please use the link below to report concerns about an inappropriate street view," it is mentioned. Clicking on this function redirects you to a form with four reasons for the removal: this image contains inappropriate content, this image infringes on my privacy, this image presents personal security concerns or other.

After the request is sent, the search giant's employees will analyze it and, if the content is really inappropriate, the picture is removed. Still, I'm not sure if the Google employees are able to judge if a photo is appropriate or not as long as the Street View shows ordinary people that were simply captured by the cameras. However, the function is an important step to avoid privacy concerns because some of the users claimed that they were able to view their cat and private stuff from their homes on the Google product.