i'm sorry but...
This is precisely the problem with Google, and Google Earth.
What use is it to remove the image? It has already been seen by millions, and saved and republished thousands of times.
You can easily recognise the man in the antlers. I'm sorry but I am not amused.
Just because people go out in public does not mean they consent to that moment being frozen in history, broadcast all over the internet and on tv to millions,
And before you all get on your soapbox, there is a huge difference, almost no comparison to an amateur photographer taking a photo and showing it to maybe 6 of their friends. The privacy laws need to be tightened up fast, with the internet, privacy is being eroded by the second. In fact I wonder if privacy even exists anymore. The benefits or amusement at seeing a couple of photos like this is not worth the harm or at least alarm it will cause to many. People should be free to go about, to WORK, to FUNERALS etc, which is a necessary part of life, not for fun, they should be able to without the prospect of their photo splashed all over the internet. When tv is filming they have to get permission from the people, or put up clear signs that filming is in progress, so that people who do not want to be filmed have the chance to consent or not. The only time it's okay is when filming is expected such as at festivals etc.
I personally am disgusted that someone (Google) is allowed to do drive-by mass photographing of every single part of the UK with zero warning, zero opportunity to get out of the way (unlike with street photographers) zero opportunity to kick up a fuss and not consent to having their photo taken (or how or where it is used), and do with those photos what they wish, including make MONEY, and/or attract people to their services. Then they might add some 'privacy measures' as an afterthought. Many people not even being aware their photo was taken, who took it, how to find it, how to get it removed. The removal service is a joke, like I said at the start.
All of this is being excused because it's 'nice' and 'cool' to have a street view. Yes it is cool but it was not done the right way. There should at the very least have been clear dates published for when Google would be snapping their photos in each city. There is absolutely no special effort involved to do that. Only the tiniest bit of thought and respect, for Google to announce it, and the media would have done the work for them and made sure everyone knew/was warned. One has to wonder that if it was so easy to announce, why did Google do the thing so covertly??? Pretty shady behaviour.
BUT as usual the hoi polloi don't care unless something directly, negatively affects them. It's pretty ironic when you consider that the most people using, applauding and excusing Google Street View can't see the 'wider picture'.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
