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Last week saw Google launch its Streetview service for several UK cities. Opinion is somewhat divided over the application. Some claim it is an invasion of their privacy with users able to take virtual tours of the cities that have been mapped. Google counter that with image recognition software faces and number plates are blurred, and all the views are what you would see from public thoroughfares.

Several images have been removed by Google including one of a man leaving a sex shop, and another of a man being sick outside a pub. Google have said that “We want this to be a useful tool and it’s people’s right to have their image removed“. I’m obviously not sure exactly why some of the complaints have been levelled, and I don’t really see this as an invasion of privacy myself. It’s a series of static photo’s after all, and they are not updated on any sort of regular basis, so it’s not as if the images can properly be used to survey a property or area, and Google seem more than happy to remove any images they receive complaints about. Here is one particularly amusing take on the whole thing from satirical website The Daily Mash.

One of the more bizarre sights to be seen is this image of a chap dressed as ‘Wally’, of “Where’s Wally” fame.

Of course I have already sought out my flat, and judging by the picture I would estimate that particular set of photo’s was taken at least 9 or 10 months ago, so not exactly an up to date photographic rendering. Unfortunately Gadgets Towers lies just outside the range of Google Streetview, so I can’t show you our magnificent premises.

Tell us what you think about Google Streetview, or any interesting sights you’ve discovered.