Images of Greenville Homes on Google Maps Street View

By Heather Sullivan
Anchor
Published: July 8, 2008

How would you feel about a picture of your home being posted on the internet next to your address?  Would you consider it an invasion of privacy?  Or think of it as helpful information for finding locations or selling homes?  Greenville is one of the latest communities across the country where Google has taken pictures of homes and buildings and posted them on its Google Maps Street View feature.

Type in just about any address in Greenville on Google maps, you’ll not only see a map, you’ll see an interactive photo of the address and what surrounds it. 

How did they get the pictures?  Google sent a vehicle with a camera through just about every street in Greenville, taking pictures of homes and buildings.  When we asked homeowners about it, they had mixed reactions.  Said homeowner Robert Elansks, “It could be what I call invasion of privacy.  Someone that wants to break into a home could maybe see this possible part of a house and use that as a tool to break into.”

Said homeowner Olympia Allen, “When you’re ready to sell it, it could be helpful.  But I think that should be your choice in putting that on the internet.”

So we asked a local attorney what the law says about your privacy.  Explained attorney Ted Gentry, “If the picture is taken in a public place or from a public thoroughfare or street, I think the law as it exists right now would say that’s not an intrusion.”

The concept isn’t new.  Some counties post pictures of properties on their property tax websites, though no Upstate counties do. 

But some people have objected to Google Maps Street View.  A couple in Pittsburgh has sued, saying the photographer went on their private road to take their home’s picture.  And the entire town of North Oaks, Minnesota asked to be removed and it was.

In fact, you can ask Google to remove the image of your home, too.  You just fill out a form online.  But some homeowners we talked to like the pictures.  One homeowner told us he doesn’t mind showing off his house because he’s proud of it.  They say the images can help you find a location, get the lay of the land, or maybe even sell your home.

Here are the steps to remove an image of your home or business from Google Maps Street View.  After you type in your address, click on “Street View Help.” Then click on “Report Inappropriate Image” and fill out the form that pops up. 

Read Amy Wood’s blog on Google Maps Streetview