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April 6, 2011
No more German Street View cities?
Based on a story from T-Online, Germany's largest internet provider, Google won't be capturing any more Street View imagery in Germany. In addition, they won't be updating any of the imagery that is already there.
While we haven't found much confirmation of that story yet, T-Online is a major source of information and the decision by Google makes sense. Given the vast issues they've had with Germany regarding Street View, they'd likely be better off to focus their efforts elsewhere.
Interestingly, this announcement came right at the same time that their previous imagery was ruled to be legal, so it was a bit of a surprise.
It'll be interesting to see how this works out over the next few years.
Thanks to GEB reader 'Andreas' for pointing us to this story.
Posted by mickmel at April 6, 2011 7:36 AM
Comments
Posted by: Freddi at April 6, 2011 9:50 AM
That's sad if it is a final decision (but: T-Online's news site is rather a tabloid, so let's wait and see what comes).
I think it's not a legal issue (as long as the cameras don't spy into places that normally are not accessible from public ground). I think Google just wants to avoid further bad publicity.
Also, Microsoft has just announced this week to *start* streetslide in Bavaria.
Posted by: Freddi at April 6, 2011 9:51 AM
Sounds like Microsoft plans to pick up where Google left off in Germany.
Posted by: claudia64 at April 6, 2011 10:06 AM
My hyperlink didn't work, so here's a link to at least one article re Microsoft's plans for Streetside in Germany: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14969340,00.html
Posted by: claudia64 at April 6, 2011 10:09 AM
I'd echo the notion that the T-Online portal is much more of a tabloid as far as reliable news goes. However, it should be noted that the relevant bits of information apparently come from Google Germany's press department directly (i.e. no plans to include more German cities, no plans to update the currently included Street View data, no reason given). But at the same time, the article points out that Google's camera cars are currently deployed on German streets "to update the data material for Google Maps and Google's own navigation services" - I wouldn't be too surprised at all if there wasn't some smoke and mirror action going on there.
By the way, Google just lost a major legal battle regarding Street View in Switzerland. Maybe that has something to do with it.
Posted by: Markus at April 6, 2011 11:02 AM
This is old news. Google hadn't announced any plans to make new Street View pictures and there are still no announcements. That's all.
Posted by: Torsten at April 6, 2011 11:34 AM
You forgot Poland, Google ;) Pictures of Warsaw and Cracow was taken few years ago...
Posted by: Kaczor at April 6, 2011 1:31 PM
I smell a "gentlemen's agreement"... perhaps Google made a deal with Microsoft?
Posted by: Rickyrab at April 13, 2011 1:27 PM
I have been waiting since the limited introduction of street view in Germany for the roll out over the country at large. What a great let down if this doesn't happen.
Posted by: John Vernham at April 26, 2011 9:28 AM
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That's sad if it is a final decision (but: T-Online's news site is rather a tabloid, so let's wait and see what comes).
I think it's not a legal issue (as long as the cameras don't spy into places that normally are not accessible from public ground). I think Google just wants to avoid further bad publicity.
Also, Microsoft has just announced this week to *start* streetslide in Bavaria.