Google Ordered to Pay After Street View Captures Man Naked in His Yard

An Argentinian man, captured unclothed in his yard by a Google Street View camera, has been awarded compensation by a court. The incident resulted in his bare behind being publicly displayed online.

The man, a policeman, sought damages from the internet giant, citing harm to his dignity. He argued that he was behind a tall wall when the Google camera captured the image in 2017 in a small Argentinian town. The man's house number and street name were also visible, further publicizing the incident through Argentine television coverage and social media. The man claimed the exposure led to ridicule at work and among his neighbors.

Initially, a court dismissed the man's claim, stating he was responsible for his actions. Google argued that the wall was not high enough to obscure the view. However, appeals judges ruled in the man's favor, concluding that his dignity had been violated. They awarded him a sum equivalent to approximately $12,500, payable by Google.

The judges emphasized that the image was taken within the confines of his home, behind a fence taller than the average person. They deemed the invasion of privacy blatant and found no justification for Google to evade responsibility for the error. The court stated that the incident undermined the man's dignity.

The judges highlighted Google's policy of blurring faces and license plates as evidence of its awareness of the need to protect privacy. They noted that in this case, the man's entire naked body was visible, an image that should also have been prevented. The court absolved other parties of liability, stating their actions merely highlighted Google's mistake.

Google has implemented measures to protect privacy, including face and license plate blurring technology. The company also offers a tool for users to request blurring of their property or body. In the past, Google has faced other legal challenges related to its Street View project, including a settlement over the collection of private information and a trespass case.