Google Maps depicts disturbing image from crime scene
Photo by Craig Baerwaldt.
About two weeks ago, Jose Barrera of Richmond, California, discovered an image that was visible on a satellite view with Google Maps. Apparently the image was that of his 14-year-old son Kevin Barrera, who was murdered on Aug. 15 in 2009 – the same year that the photographs were taken by Google Earth, in the proximity of the murder scene. The picture shows a police cruiser and a small cluster of people standing near what appears to be a dead body close to the railroad tracks.
Jose Barrera was disturbed when he saw this picture and complained to a CNN affiliate, and stated that he would also complain to Google Maps and state lawmakers in California if necessary. Brian McClendon, Vice-President of Google Maps, has stated that his company does not usually change their images but will aim to do so in about eight days because of the special circumstances of the Barrera case. McClendon has informed the Barrera family that his company will comply with Barrera’s request to have the image removed and will do so in a timely fashion.
This case brings to mind that there are lines that are crossed when Google Maps begins snapping pictures in their quest to map our planet. In this case, Google Maps is behaving as a good corporate citizen in that they have agreed to have the image removed in a relatively timely fashion, and have shown remorse for having the image on the site. It is likely Google was not aware of the meaning of the picture when it was captured more than four years ago.
There are many privacy and security concerns that are arising as technology continues to become more powerful, and images become clearer with the improvement of the technology of high-resolution cameras. The very wealthy in our society, as well as the politically powerful, often do not want their privacy mapped out for the world to see. In some cases, rich citizens in the United States have prevented Google Maps from taking pictures in their private enclaves, where their fenced-in communities have been able to block Google Maps from mapping their properties.
As drone technology improves – and may soon be in the hands of people throughout the world – terrorist groups could use increasingly sophisticated technology and Google Maps to find undefended targets. If that happens, the courts will have to determine whether Google Maps carries any liability.
It should be noted that the American military has been able to prevent Google from capturing its military installations on the grounds of security, all while the United States has carried out the most sophisticated espionage activity the world has ever seen, according to the revelations made by Edward Snowden. This is ironic but not surprising.
Many Germans have already shown great resistance to Google Maps entering their country, as their watchdogs are on high alert.
As time goes on, issues about privacy and security will continue to snowball as technology advances and becomes cheaper to utilize. All that we can be sure is that “Big Brother” is not going away any time soon.