Google Pays $12,500 For Exposing Someone’s Butt On StreetView

Time to start sunbathing naked on your front lawn.

In an unusual case of privacy invasion, an Argentinian man has successfully sued Google after the tech giant inadvertently captured and published a photo of his bare rear end on its Street View service. And since the man wasn’t on Girls Gone Wild at the time, it’s no surprise he was pretty angry. The incident has sparked discussions about privacy rights in the age of technology and the limitations of image blurring practices.

The man, who has not been named in reports, was in his yard when Google’s Street View camera captured the image. He had taken steps to ensure his privacy, including erecting a 6.5-foot tall fence around his property. This fence was meant to shield him from view while he enjoyed the privacy of his own home, particularly in the context of sunbathing. However, the height of Google’s cameras allowed them to capture an image that the man believed should not have been taken.

The published image not only displayed his bare backside but also linked it to his home address. This exposure led to significant embarrassment for the man as the photo circulated across local news outlets and social media platforms. In his lawsuit, he argued that the publication of his image was a violation of his dignity and personal privacy, especially since he had taken reasonable measures to prevent such an occurrence.

Initially, Argentinian courts dismissed his claim, siding with Google. However, the man did not give up and appealed the decision. The appeals court subsequently overturned the lower court’s ruling, acknowledging that the fence was indeed a legitimate measure to obscure him from public view. The court also noted that Google had previously recognized the potential for compromising images when implementing its selective blurring technology. Despite this, the company failed to blur the man’s backside in this instance.

As a result of the appeals court’s ruling, the man was awarded $12,500 in damages from Google. This case underscores the challenges that individuals face in maintaining their privacy in a digital landscape where surveillance is increasingly pervasive. The decision also highlights the limitations of Google’s existing policies regarding image blurring on Street View.

Google has protocols in place for individuals who wish to have their images obscured, allowing them to request the blurring of entire bodies or properties. However, this process relies heavily on individuals being aware that their image has been captured in the first place. In this case, the man may not have known about the existence of his photo until it was broadcasted by local news, leaving him with little recourse at that moment.

While the man’s legal victory has resulted in a financial gain, it appears he would have preferred that the incident never occurred. His experience raises important questions about privacy rights and the responsibilities of companies like Google in protecting individuals from unwanted exposure. As technology continues to evolve, so too must the laws and policies that govern privacy and consent.

This case serves as a reminder that in today’s digital world, individuals can inadvertently become subjects of public scrutiny without their consent. It emphasizes the need for clearer regulations surrounding privacy and the use of technology, particularly as more people become aware of the implications of living in a surveillance state.

The Argentinian man’s experience reveals the potential pitfalls of modern technology, where even a moment of personal privacy can be captured and shared without permission. It also illustrates the ongoing struggle individuals face in asserting their rights in an increasingly interconnected and monitored society.