This Is Scary! Map Features on Google

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores participants' reactions to the detailed features of Google Maps, particularly the ability to view homes and properties through street-level imagery. Participants share personal experiences regarding the implications of such visibility, including feelings of privacy concerns and the usefulness of the tool for various purposes.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of accidentally zooming in on Google Maps and discovering street-level photos of homes, expressing feelings of unease about the visibility of personal properties.
  • Another participant mentions similar features available on Zillow, indicating a broader concern about online property visibility.
  • Several users note that the imagery is not live and can be outdated, with one participant mentioning their house photo was taken years ago during construction.
  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, discusses the potential risks of making it easier for criminals to scout neighborhoods using such tools.
  • Another participant appreciates the tool for its utility in their work, highlighting its benefits for property assessments and navigation.
  • Some participants express mixed feelings, describing the feature as both "neat" and "creepy," reflecting a range of comfort levels with the technology.
  • One participant mentions the ability to look up phone numbers and associated addresses, raising privacy concerns about the accessibility of personal information online.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the implications of Google Maps' features. Some express concern about privacy and security, while others find the tool beneficial and interesting. No clear consensus emerges on whether the visibility is predominantly positive or negative.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a variety of experiences, with some discussing the practical applications of Google Maps in their professional lives, while others focus on personal feelings about privacy and security in relation to the technology.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in discussions about technology's impact on privacy, as well as those curious about the practical uses of mapping tools in both personal and professional contexts, may find this thread relevant.

esavvymom
esavvymom
Staff member
Messages
7,881
Ok. I was putting in an address in Google Maps. By accident, I moved my mouse wheel so it zoomed in tight. So tight that it pulled up ACTUAL PHOTOS of the houses ont he street! I can toodle down the street and see the homes from the street view...one set showed the garbage cans out for the day.

So I thought- can I see MY house??! Fortunately, no...not yet. But I found my best friends house. I'm looking down her driveway at the front of her house right now on this map program!

This is just scary! :eek:
 
You can also look up at Zillo.com shows the same thing.
 
  • Thread starter
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I'm not talking just aerial satellite though. I'm talking I'm standing at the end of your driveway. I can see homes that are listed for sale- yeah. you know you are putting your house online, but for maps??
 
It's been available for a while. It is actually some guy driving around in a truck with a camera on top (I've seen some parts of it that they didn't "delete" out). It is sort of nice, I've actually taken a trip to a hosts house that I wasn't for sure where she lived. They do blur out license plate numbers and any people.
 
Yes, that's been around for at least 5 years. They keep some areas more up to date than others...
 
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  • #6
I guess it's the Community Watch Block captain/chair person in me saying- "Ok. let's just give the crooks away to case a neighborhood from his couch!".:D
 
hehe, I think it's kinda neat
 
wadesgirl said:
It's been available for a while. It is actually some guy driving around in a truck with a camera on top (I've seen some parts of it that they didn't "delete" out). It is sort of nice, I've actually taken a trip to a hosts house that I wasn't for sure where she lived. They do blur out license plate numbers and any people.
Click to expand...

wow - you can see license plates? I haven't seen any that clear! usually I see blurry pictures of houses and property - I've never seen people either. I use google maps all the time - love it!
 
its kind of neat / kind of creepy.
i looked up our house & its atleast a year old because the house is in BAAAD shape & since we moved in we have done a ton of work on it.
 
Yeah, the photo of my house is from when we were builing it - 4 years ago.
 
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  • #11
pamperedlinda said:
wow - you can see license plates? I haven't seen any that clear! usually I see blurry pictures of houses and property - I've never seen people either. I use google maps all the time - love it!
Click to expand...

The one by my friend's does show a couple of kids walking on the street, but he didn't get close enough to make out any features. And license plates- the average person can't look up a license plate. But ANYONE can look up a street address and if its listed- get your name and phone (call and see if you are home). And you can use the internet to look up the property tax/value information and what you paid for the house.

I guess I don't like the idea of making it that much easier the crooks. Maps do the job just fine- you don't need to see a photo of my house. If you can READ, you can find it. Sorry. Call me crazy. :)
 
try typing in your phone number into google -- it tells who you are and will give a map right to your front door.
 
esavvymom said:
I guess it's the Community Watch Block captain/chair person in me saying- "Ok. let's just give the crooks away to case a neighborhood from his couch!".

:D
Click to expand...

The photos aren't live. A couple of months ago, the ones of our house were a couple of years old, because the new garage wasn't there.
 
Okay, so I knew about the ability to see the houses, but not about the phone number!! I am not so sure that I am okay with that part. I typed in my number and 2 ads I have on Pennswoods for snow tires and a washer/dryer for sale come up with my phone number and cell number as well as the listing that has my name and address.

The pic of my house, actually shows my address as a block away from my house. And it is an old pic before I lived here.
 
When I go on to google and type in my phone number, it brings me up. Then it has written underneath my info "request to have your name removed from this list" and it's a link to where you can ask to be deleted from these search engines. So if you don't want to be listed, you can go and do that. My house isn't on any map yet. Last time I did Google earth or whatever and saw maps of my town, it showed my neighborhood still the farm land. Other maps it shows it in the very beginning phase of when the dirt is getting all moved around and graded. Kind of funny to not be on there. But then it's really annoying because no one can find me, even when using GPS.
 
This is a great tool for me at work. I love the ability to see so close. I even have software at work with allows me to measure things. I can measure the size of anything including height. We use this for homeowners who refuse us on their property. I work for a property tax assessment office.

As for the property assessments, sales prices, and other information available online, while it might make things more accessible to crooks, its not something that they can not get their hands on. The freedom of information act prevents this information for being hidden. You can not even go into the tax assessor's office and request that, that information be confidential. It's all public knowledge.
 
pamperedlinda said:
wow - you can see license plates? I haven't seen any that clear! usually I see blurry pictures of houses and property - I've never seen people either. I use google maps all the time - love it!
Click to expand...

Yah we live in a trailer and our "driveway" literally holds just both our cars so we are right along the street. You cannot make out our license plate numbers. I know that the house I grew up in as been updated, they just put in a new road and sidewalks in the last year so I know it's new.

The funny part is you can look up where I work. Right at the intersection it is a bright day but you go either way from the intersection and you can tell they did it while a storm was about on it's way. Then in one shot it takes you to the parking lot of the gas station across the street. You can actually maneuver it around and see the guy that took the images!
 
I guess I will never have to worry I just googled my address and it took us to K mart. I did try getting it to my house and all I saw was my house at an angle. The pic were taken last winter though cause the house kiddie corner from me was in the process of being built.
 
Ours here are updated about every 2 years. Our 9-1-1 system has it done that often. We link to their system at work. They use it for navigating, we use it for assessment purposes. The further from the city you are, the safer you are for not having a good image on there. The larger population bases for us do aerial photography flyovers at a much lower altitude than our more rural areas.

Can I just say that I am a map nerd! I love maps! When we first started using aerial photography at work in conjunctions with out maps, I was in absolute heaven. I can spend hours on there just surfing our township trying to find things. It also saves mileage, which saves on tax dollars. Our area is so large that running to a house 15 miles away will cost approximatly $15 to send someone there in just mileage alone. Of course we like the extra pay for mileage, but it's helps us so that we do not have to make unneccessary trips like that to cost the taxpayers money.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the scary map features on Google that users should be aware of?

Some of the features that users find concerning include location tracking, the ability to view street-level imagery, and the sharing of location data with third parties. These features can raise privacy concerns if users are not aware of how their data is being used.

How can I manage my privacy settings on Google Maps?

You can manage your privacy settings by going to your Google Account, selecting 'Data & Personalization,' and adjusting your location history and activity controls. You can also disable location sharing and delete past location data if desired.

What should I do if I find my home or personal information on Google Maps?

If you find your home or personal information on Google Maps and want it removed, you can use the 'Report a problem' feature on Google Maps. This allows you to request the removal of specific images or information that you find concerning.

Are there any safety tips for using Google Maps?

Yes, some safety tips include being cautious about sharing your location in real-time, using private browsing modes when searching for sensitive information, and regularly reviewing your privacy settings to ensure they align with your comfort level.

Can I turn off location tracking on Google Maps completely?

Yes, you can turn off location tracking by going to your Google Account settings, navigating to 'Data & Personalization,' and disabling 'Location History.' This will stop Google from saving your location data, but it may affect the functionality of certain features in Google Maps.

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