14 DAY TRIAL // With Google expanding to fill every online need, it is bound to encounter some problems, especially with services that are potentially more sensitive such as Street View. The product has been met with resistance in some countries and Google has had to make changes to adapt to the particular needs. In Japan, it has had to reshoot a significant number of the photos at a lower height, so as not to go over the fences, but it may not have been enough and it is now taking further steps against third-party sites using the pictures for malicious purposes.
Initially, a number of people was concerned that, because of Japan's unique geographical and architectural styles, the Street View cars were taking photos of the insides of people's gardens and even homes. After it was first released in 2008, a big number of complaints forced Google to take another round of photos in several regions with the camera positioned 16 inches lower than the standard height of the Street View cars. There were also a number of errors, inherent to any computerized system, where people's faces and car numberplates were not successfully blurred by the service.
Now, Google is facing another problem and another round of criticism after photos from Street View were maliciously used on other sites for discrimination or bullying. Google already has a system where individuals can request the removal of a photo they believe to be offending, but the company says it will now take new measures by not only removing the photo from their servers, but also by asking the other sites that may be using it to take it down as well or face legal consequences.
After Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications finished an investigation of the service, Google is taking new steps by giving even more advanced warnings in the regions where Street View will be deployed next and by opening up a call center where people can ask for the removal of a certain picture, even if they don't have an Internet access.