Gov't lets public join debate on Google Street View

The problems regarding operating the service in Israel revolve around the potential harm to individual privacy and state security.

3 April 11 19:10, Lilach Weissman

The team of ministers examining the operation of Google Street View in Israel has decided to let the public join discussions and make comments before formulating its conclusions. Google Street View, a service already operating in 27 countries, is based on photography and presents pictures of city streets and selected sites worldwide.

Minister of Improvement of Government Services Michael Eitan that the public can express its opinion on the venture via the Internet and make suggestions on how to improve the decision making process. Comments can be posted by the public at http://shituf.gov.il/discussions/242

The problems regarding operating the service revolve around the potential harm to individual privacy and state security. After Israel examined security aspects of Google Street View no reason was found to prevent the process to approve the project from proceeding. The subject has also been handed over to the Ministry of Justice's Authority for Technology and Science, and an agreement is likely regarding privacy similar to those in force in other countries where Google Street View is already operating.

Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 3, 2011

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