Google StreetView Project

Abelson, Chapter 2: In a well-publicized news story, a man was caught “on camera” exiting a "gentleman's club" when Google photographed him for their StreetView project. He later sued Google because the revelation was unhappy news to his wife. Do you think Google is in the clear when they photograph the view from streets in your neighborhood?

Answer: I remember reading several news stories in recent months and years about people taking issue with Google videotaping their neighborhood streets for this project. I personally have no problem with this project – in fact, I think Google Earth and streetView are going to and have already proven to be incredible tools for our society as a whole. I will offer two ethical theories to cover why the man exiting the “gentleman’s club” has no grounds to sue Google and should only be upset at himself.

The first ethical theory is the Universal Principle. This theory states that you should only do things that you would be fine having projected all over the news, meaning an action that you would not be ashamed to have your wife or mother know about. The second theory is the Utilitarian theory. These projects by Google are being created for the greater good of our society. They are in motion to help us and offer useful tools – imagine being in Hong Kong and being able to show your co-workers your home and neighborhood back in Atlanta. Following the utilitarian theory, Google is providing a great good to theoretically everyone in the world who has Internet and is only hurting those that are doing things that they are embarrassed to have those close to them know about.

I think that, as long as it is legal to photograph people, or Google blurs them out if not, Google should be in the clear as they are not harming, but helping society.