Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced that it will introduce its “Street View” feature in Google Maps in the country of Germany before the end of the year.
The service, which provides a street level view of a city, has been controversial in Germany and other European countries based on fear that people could be seen doing things that they did not want to be seen doing or in places that they did not want to be seen without their consent.
The company said in a statement on Tuesday that the feature will be available in the nation’s 20 largest cities and that people can ask to have their house removed from the database beginning next week. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) said that it will blue faces and license placts.
Google Inc. maintains an index of Websites and other online content, and makes this information freely available through its search engine to anyone with an Internet connection. The Company’s automated search technology helps people obtain nearly instant access to relevant information from its online index. The Company generates revenue primarily by delivering online advertising. Businesses use its AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the thousands of third-party Websites that comprise the Google Network use its AdSense program to deliver relevant ads that generate revenue and enhance the user experience. In September 2009, the Company acquired ReCAPTCHA Inc., a spin-off of Carnegie Mellon University’s Computer Science Department. In February 2010, the Company acquired Aardvark. In February 2010, the Company acquired On2 Technologies, Inc.
Shares of Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) traded down 1.17% on Tuesday hitting $499.45
