Google Maps Street View Blurs Locations for Privacy and Security Reasons

Reasons for Blurring on Street View

Google blurs locations on Street View in response to requests from government entities, digital privacy campaigners, and individual customers. This practice aims to protect the privacy of key people and places by obscuring visual details.

Commonly blurred locations include military and highly secure government facilities, homes of high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, and VIPs, and residences of privacy advocates. Some blurring may also occur due to errors in the automated process.

Legal Rights and Digital Footprint

In certain countries, such as the Netherlands and Germany, individuals have a legal right to request that their homes be blurred on Street View. This contributes to the prevalence of blurred properties in these regions.

Street View provides detailed information on property layouts, values, and security features. Blurring this data reduces an individual's digital footprint, which can offer protection against potential misuse by various groups, including criminals, open-source investigators, and journalists.

How to Request a Blur

Google's Street View service automatically blurs faces and license plates. If these automated tools miss something, or if a user wishes to blur their home, a request can be submitted.

To request a blur, users open Google Maps, drag the Pegman to the desired location, and find the property in Street View. They then click the three dots or "Report a problem" link, adjust the view to focus on the item to be blurred, select what needs blurring, provide an email for verification, and complete a reCAPTCHA. Proof of tenancy or ownership may be required.