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.
About Mickey Mellen
Mickey has been using Google Earth since it was released in 2005, and has created a variety of geo-related sites including Google Earth Hacks. He runs a web design firm in Marietta, GA, where he lives with his wife and two kids.
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.
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.
Sounds like Microsoft plans to pick up where Google left off in Germany.
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
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.
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.
You forgot Poland, Google 😉 Pictures of Warsaw and Cracow was taken few years ago…
I smell a “gentlemen’s agreement”… perhaps Google made a deal with Microsoft?
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.
I am sad if Google streetview will not increase the panoramic area of cities around the world. It is very helpful for people who cannot travel coz of financial and having flight phobia. It is the tourism window of the world as long as it is not violated privacy and beside the term privacy has many definitions so people must clearly define it before judging. Thank you for having sharing thoughts 🙂