topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2286.26 -0.09
DAX 6754.2 -0.16
IBEX 30 8846.9 0.13
CAC 40 3411.54 0.18
FTSE 100 5890.26 -0.03
AEX 325.97 0.28
DJIA 12882.63 0.29
Nasdaq 2906.14 0.14
FTSE MIB 16491.71 0.62
TSX Composite 12521.41 -0.31
ASX 4344.9 -0.45
Hang seng 20699.19 -0.05
Straits Times 2957.78 0.60
ISEQ 20 504.97 -0.68
You are here: Home News Community News Swiss data protection watchdog takes Google to court

Community News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


16/11/2009Swiss data protection watchdog takes Google to court

Switzerland's data protection commissioner on Friday announced that he was taking Google to court in a dispute over privacy concerns on the US Internet giant's "Street View" picture map.

Geneva--Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner Hanspeter Thuer said in a statement that he was taking the case to the Federal Administrative Tribunal after Google refused to apply the majority of measures he had recommended.

Street View allows users to take a ground level panoramic view of some locations on Google Maps, based on still photographs taken by specially-equipped vehicles.

The Swiss data protection commissioner had repeatedly complained since the service was introduced for Switzerland this year that many images of faces and vehicle number plates were still easily identifiable and insufficiently blurred.

Thuer also said recommendations he had made to Google had not been taken up.

"For these reasons, the FDPIC (commissioner) has decided to take the matter further and to take legal action before the Federal Administrative Court."

Google said that it was disappointed by the decision and remains convinced that its service is legal.

"We will vigorously fight any procedure. Street View has proved to be very popular in Switzerland and users will be harmed by this decision," said Google Privacy Counsel Peter Fleischer in a statement.

Thuer said Friday that his privacy concerns were especially strong where the people concerned were shown around "sensitive locations, for example outside hospitals, prisons or schools."

Simple blurring of faces was also not enough to conceal identities in less frequented areas outside urban centres, he added.

Thuer raised concerns about the height of the car-top cameras Google uses to film locations, saying they afford a view over fences, hedges and walls "with the result that people see more on Street View than can been seen by a normal passer-by in the street."

"This means that privacy in enclosed areas (gardens, yards) is no longer guaranteed."

The data protection commissioner had issued recommendations in September, after initially asking Google to withdraw the service while changes were made.

"In its written response on 14 October 2009, Google for the most part declined to comply with the requests," the statement said.

Google has insisted on the efficiency of its blurring technology.

"We are very disappointed to learn that the Federal Data Protection Commissioner wanted to take the case before the courts," Fleischer said.

"We believe that it's not necessary and that Street View is totally legal," he added.

Fleischer underlined that Google discussed Street View with Thuer before and after it was introduced on maps of Switzerland and had proposed measures to "reinforce protection technology" for privacy.

He said the decision to got to court suggested that Thuer was not ready to consider those proposals.

AFP/ Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

Republicans Abroad Europe

Discuss Swiss Culture

Win prizes by filling out Expatica Survey 2011!

Community Noticeboard Switzerland

Win prizes by filling out Expatica Survey 2011!

Finding your way in Switzerland

great bouvier in Switzerland. Forum, contacts, etc

Living in Switzerland

Choosing your 3rd Pillar provider (foundation)

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Residence and work permits in Switzerland

Residence and work permits in Switzerland

How to apply for a residency or work permit in Switzerland for you and your family.

How to rent and buy a house in Switzerland

How to rent and buy a house in Switzerland

Information about renting property and obtaining a mortgage in Switzerland.

Switzerland's healthcare system

Switzerland's healthcare system

Information about the Swiss healthcare system, health insurance, pharmacies and emergency numbers.

Banking in Switzerland

Banking in Switzerland

Explaining Swiss currency, banknotes, credit cards and bureaux de change.