Unexpected risks behind the trend of revisiting old houses on Google Maps

(NLDO) - Many people are worried when they discover their daily life images appearing on Google Maps.

In recent days, many users on the social network TikTok have easily come across videos sharing about using Google Maps to review images of their homes from many years ago. These videos are often accompanied by nostalgic and emotional feelings that make viewers curious and want to follow.

The method is simple: Open Google Maps, enter the address and select Street View mode to see images of that area in the past, and you will return to familiar scenes, from old houses to activities from many years ago.

Although this is an interesting experience for many people, many people are concerned when they discover images of themselves or their loved ones appearing on Google Maps, especially private moments. Many people are worried that these images can be "dug up" by others and shared on social networks with bad intentions.

A public image on Google Maps

Ms. Thu Thuy (in Ho Chi Minh City) expressed her anxiety when she saw pictures of herself wearing pajamas and drying clothes in the yard on Google Maps. She was worried that users searching for her address might see these pictures and post them on social networks to gossip, ridicule, and even exploit them for bad purposes.

In fact, Google's Street View mode has been criticized many times for invading people's privacy.

In 2010, for example, nearly 250,000 Germans asked Google to blur images of their homes. The Czech and Indian governments have also said no to Street View.

Google once had to pay a $7 million fine in the US for collecting personal data of many people without permission, when the company's cars drove through many neighborhoods to collect images for the Street View service.

Google's Street View cars were then fined 145,000 euros for illegally collecting personal data from open wifi networks in Germany.

Experts say Street View brings many benefits to users, but the data on the platform needs to be tightly controlled. The platform needs clear protection measures to avoid risks.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/rui-ro-khong-ngo-phia-sau-trend-xem-lai-ngoi-nha-cu-tren-google-maps-196250703102241416.htm