Street images provided by Google Maps, through the Street View function, allow users to view almost any address in the world. While this tool is useful for locating a place before visiting it, some people prefer that their home or vehicle not be visible online.
According to an article published by Vincent Paquette on the website FrancoisCharron.com, it is possible to ask Google to blur a house, a vehicle, or certain elements visible on Street View.
Street View images are captured by Google vehicles equipped with cameras that travel along roads to collect imagery for the mapping service. Although algorithms automatically blur faces and license plates, some details may remain visible.
Several reasons may lead a homeowner to request that an image be blurred: to protect their privacy, to prevent strangers from observing their property, or to hide certain elements visible when the Google vehicle passed by, such as construction work, a messy yard, or the presence of family members.
However, this process also has some drawbacks. Once a house is blurred, the blurring is permanent—even if a new Street View car later passes through the area. In some cases, this could make it more difficult to sell or rent a property.
Vincent Paquette reminds readers of the reasons why people choose to have their home blurred:
