donald Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 We have a planning application on the go and the council came to take pictures which we assumed incorrectly would be for the councils private use. But we discovered them on line and its all our back garden, you can see into our house. Lucky I didnt have my washing out. I appreciate with google earth and people seeing fronts of homes but not all over the back and down sides of our back garden that most people cant see. Is this normal? Can I complain? Can I get my home removed from google earth. A burglars ideal tool. No one told us our architect submitted the plans on our behalf and we have never applied for planning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclonetog Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 It's legal to take photo's of almost anything while on public property, so that includes you in your front room watching telly. If the pictures were taken from your private ground, then you'd have to give permission for them to be there in the first place. It's possible that you've signed something that states they need to gain access to your property to carry out their job, including taking photo's. If they've sold the pictures then they'd need a signed release from yourself to do that. It's a really complicated subject that can take ages to get to the bottom of... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 I will ask our architect as he submitted the forms I know it is something new as my relative who has had many applications was quite shocked at the detail etc and that it was available for public viewing. But yes it was on our private land. I would like to get us taken off google earth? Nots sure how? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 You can't. Photos taken from the air or from a public space are viewable to everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 You can't get pictures removed from google earth; but you can from google street view see here: http://support.google.com/earth/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=21413 and here: http://maps.google.com/intl/en_us/help/maps/streetview/privacy.html The law on privacy says you have privacy where-ever you have a 'reasonable expectation' of privacy. You have a right to privacy under the HRA 1998. You could certainly argue that you did *not* consent for picture showing inside your home to be put in the public domain and request that the council either remove them or blur the part you are concerned about immediately - citing the HRA and your 'reasonable expectation of privacy' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 Thank you for all of this information and I will get us removed from Streetview. Seems so nosey. I will look into what I signed about taking pictures of our home. The guy did knock on the front door and was told he could take them so we obviously consented verbally. I just had no idea they were going on the internet ie was for in house use. But thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizinsa Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Where I live, the local authority takes photos but they keep them on file at the planning office rather than put them online. You can still view planning applications online but without the photos but if you go into the planning office you will see the photos. I think this is a much safer idea because they also keep a record of who views the plans (and they ask for proof of ID) so that should mean only interested parties get to see it. Perhaps you could ask if they could do this instead? I'm guessing when the plans were submitted you agreed to them being put online as part of their terms and conditions and they just weren't very explicit about what would be shown I'm househunting at the moment and I'm finding streetview and googleearth really useful when looking at properties but it is amazing what you can find out and the detail you can get from it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 Yes I can realise how useful it is to see streetview as I have used it myself (hypocrite yes) but I think it was the back view of the house ie where our oil tank is etc ideal for burglars etc to look at doors and locks etc. I signed a form with the architect so I suppose I will ask him. But I bet a lot of folks are unaware as it seems to be a new thing. Good idea re ID and viewing at council offices as thats fine too. Just the online bit! Good luck with the house hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
