Users can go to the site and have their homes removed in “plenty of time” before the service is operational, Google said today in a statement. The companys software automatically blurs faces and license plates.
Google is expanding the Street View maps from the U.S. to other countries, letting users see locations from ground level. The company generates the images by roving the streets of cities in vehicles equipped with special cameras. Google said last week its working with European authorities to provide other privacy safeguards, including sending advance notices to cities before the images are gathered.
“Before we launch Street View in any country in Europe, we consult with local regulators and stakeholders,” Mountain View, California-based Google said in todays statement.
The company, owner of the worlds most popular search engine, lets users remove images from Street View in places where the service is already available. Google offers Street View in nine countries, including Australia, Japan and the U.K.
Google fell 84 cents to $415.16 today on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The shares have risen 35 percent this year.