Switzerland is not neutral against Google and sues

Mon 16 November 2009 09:01, Editors

They have been "fighting" over Streetview issues for a couple of months now and last week the climax was reached when Swiss Data Protection Authority commissioner Hanspeter Thuer decided it was enough: Switzerland is suing Google.

Thuer feels Google is not doing a good job when it comes to blurring faces, license plates and other images which could endanger the privacy of the Swiss.

Switzerland is not neutral against Google and sues

Just after the launch of Streetview in Switzerland in August Thuer opened his attack on Google. He felt Google should erase images and blur more than they did. At first Google seemed to agree with Thuer, they decided to blur the images more. But Google apparently didn't meet Thuer's needs. "Numerous faces and vehicle number plates are not made sufficiently unrecognisable," he said. Thuer especially feels the "sensitive locations", such as hospitals, prisons or schools should be blurred more.

Google doesn't agree with Thuers accusations. They are 'disappointed by the move' and will "vigorously contest" the case. The case won't be under the hammer soon though, according to the BBC it might take months before any court case actually starts.

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