I’m not much of a techie. Although I use my computer every day, my abilities don’t extend too much further than the basics. I didn’t own a computer until my freshman year in college. Before that, I had multiple e-mail addresses, on account of me forgetting my email address and password, and because of my sporadic use.
You could say I was a late Internet bloomer, but something tells me I’m not the only one.
I have to laugh aloud when technology advances past human beings’ reasonable judgment. For example, a Pennsylvania couple is suing Google on account of what they call Google Earth’s violation of privacy.
For anybody more technologically stunted than myself, Google Earth is a program that you can use to spy on people and places, although everyone likes to muse on its educational functions. For example, take one of Google’s (Google for educators) recommendations: “You can use real-time coordinates to demonstrate distance calculations and verify the results using measurement tools.” Hmm, I wonder how many people have actually stayed home on a Friday night to try this?
Google uses satellite imagery and aerial photography to lawfully capture these images. Aerial photography is code for ground photos in which Google drives around in an unmarked van, automatically snapping photos of everything in the public sphere.
Lawful? Maybe. Creepy? Definitely.
In the case of Aaron and Christine Boring, the van must have driven down their private road in order to capture the images of their home, according to an article in The Associated Press.
Rather than requesting Google take the photos off the website, the Borings have chosen the American way – litigation. According to the same article, the Borings are suing because these photos were an invasion of privacy, they devalued their home, and the most obvious gripe, caused emotional distress.
I’m not surprised, but I’m shocked it took this long for someone to pursue legal action against Google Earth. Maybe the “coolness” factor has worn off.
But in all fairness there is something off in this story. I’m not trying to get sued here or anything, but there is an immediate red flag when anybody purchases a home for its “privacy.”
So far, it has not been reported whether Google denies it entered private property, but it has said that requesting the removal of the photos is easy.
Since its debut, Google Earth has concerned a few governments and raised questions about national security. This has included militants using the program to search for targets in opposition areas, as reported by the Guardian in 2007. No doubt information provided by programs like Google Earth plays a large role in the global technological arms race.
After all, it’s best to “love thy neighbor,” but you should wait until you know exactly what they’re doing.
Erin McKenzie is a junior journalism major and an assistant opinions editor for the Daily Forty-Niner.
