Israel Evaluates the Risks of Street View as Google Prepares to Launch it There

Google Street View is coming to Israel soon, it seems, but not without the authorities reviewing the implications of the product. Besides the usual privacy concerns, Israel is particularly worried about security, whether Street View imagery could be used in a terrorist attack. However, the authorities recognize the potential advantages of Street View, particularly for tourism.

"A ministerial team chaired by Minister Dan Meridor... discussed various aspects of Google Street View, which is due to be operated in Israel soon," the country's prime minister's office said in a statement.

"During the discussion, experts presented the implications regarding privacy concerns and public security, as well as the advantages regarding tourism and image," it continued.

"The ministerial team instructed the experts to work to protect vital public interests regarding this innovative project. It was decided that cooperation with Google would continue in order to operate the service in Israel as soon as possible," it concluded.

Apparently, Google is working on launching the service in Israel. Street View is already available in a few dozen countries and it's in the process of being deployed in more.

However, Google would not confirm that Israel is one if its current targets, beyond saying that it's always planning to expand to more countries.

However, the prime minister's office has pretty much confirmed the launch. The authorities held a meeting with experts to discuss the issue, earlier this week.

While this was only an initial meeting, it does seem like the authorities are interested in having Street View in Israel, as long as any privacy and security concerns are alleviated.

Considering how many problems Google has had with Street View, perhaps the authorities are right to worry. While in most cases people or governments are over-reacting to the Street View 'threat,' Google hasn't been doing itself any favors considering the whole WiFi fiasco.