Jerusalem — Ever since the popular Google’s 3D mapping technology has come into effect, the company has relentlessly fought claims its mapping and photography services infringed on personal privacy. Now plans to photograph Israeli cities for Google’s Street View platform has sparked security concerns amongst various officials who fear the data could be exploited by terrorist organizations to plot attacks against sensitive locations or political figures.
While considering ways for Google Street View to photograph Israeli cities, Israel, on Monday announced that its Intelligence Minister Dan Meridor is heading a task force to address the security and privacy implications of allowing Google Street View to photograph streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, ahead of the launch here of the 3D-mapping service, Haaretz.com reports.
The Israeli Cabinet members and others were given a presentation describing the “implications for privacy and public safety and internal security, while at the same time presenting the benefits for Israel’s image and for tourism,” a statement from the premier’s office said.
Above, a Google camera on a snowmobile near the Matterhorn in Switzerland. (Olivier Maire, European Pressphoto Agency / February 21, 2011)
The members have advised experts to formulate a safe way to introduce the feature “as soon as possible,” according to an official statement, without giving further details. The team is evaluating benefits, such as increased visibility for tourist sites, with public safety and personal privacy.
Google wants to offer the service in Israel, but said it had no specific time frame for launching Street View in the country. In an e-mailed statement, a spokesperson said: “We aim to offer the benefits of street-level imagery to users all around the world, however, we have nothing specific to announce at this time.”
Street View, which was launched in 2006, allows users to virtually tour locations in 27 countries, has also infused animosity in many countries over the privacy issues involved in photographing buildings and homes without permission. Google collects three-dimensional images for the service by dispatching a fleet of camera-equipped vehicles to the locations.
But some in Israel are sounding the alarm.
“We already have problems with Google Earth, which exposes all kinds of facilities,” retired Lt. Col. Mordechai Kedar, told the Associated Press. The 25-year veteran of Israeli intelligence said that Street View could facilitate terrorist attacks.
Palestinian reformists in the Gaza Strip have mentioned that they utilized Google Earth, which displays satellite images of homes and buildings, to identify targets for rocket attacks.
The privacy watchdog group Center for Digital Democracy informed of another potential downside for Israeli citizens: It could be utilized for political purposes, including government surveillance.
“It will be the Israeli security forces, in addition to users, that will be viewing the system to determine potential threats and those suspected of potential anti-governmental actions,” said Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the group. “The blending of governmental and commercial interests to enhance citizen eavesdropping is a chilling prospect.”
However, the feature has sparked intense controversy about invasions of privacy in the U.S., Germany and other countries.
Critics argue the images could expose people in places they do not want to be seen or doing things that might be embarrassing. Also, last year, the Internet giant admitted that its Street View cars, which have been driving around taking photographs in more than 30 cities across the globe, had inadvertently collected a large quantity of data sent over unsecured wireless networks, including entire emails and passwords.
As a matter of fact, the team has been tasked with walking a fine line between increasing visibility for tourist sites, while simultaneously ensuring public safety and protecting personal privacy.
Furthermore, even if Israel permits Google to move forward, it will probably prohibit sensitive areas from being photographed. That could include the streets where the prime minister and the president live, government compounds, security installations, power stations, foreign embassies and other high-security locations.
Google is targeting only Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and possibly Haifa, the website said. Although Israeli ministers declined to comment, a Google rep emphasized that the company hoped “to offer the benefits of street-level imagery to users all around the world.”