Why There's Almost No Google Street View In Germany - Cheddar Explains

Have you ever used Google Street View to look around Europe and wondered why Germany is almost entirely blank? For years Google has tried to get Street View into the country, yet has faced heavy public backlash every time. Cheddar explains why Germany is so anit-Street View, and why Google won't give up the fight.

Further reading:

Big Think

NY Times

Inverse

Washington Post

BBC


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[julezleo]

As a german, i can say that this is wrong. There is no street view in germany, because there is no internet in germany. We still use smoke signs and carrier pigeons.

[jonasholzer]

As a german i didn't even know we have basically no street view and taught it was normal that you're only able to use it on certain bigger streets. But data privacy and security is a huge deal here. At school we always had to sign a form, stating that we are ok with being in the Class photo each year 😂 it's the little things you absolutely don't think about that are often the weirdest about your home country

[bananaspice]

Google: lets make stre-
Germany: *no*

[jan-lukas]

"3% wanted their houses blurred"
The street I'm living in: make it 70%

[ihuffglue]

germany knows a thing or two because they've seen a thing or two

[emaminek_]

"You see that white spot there? It's not a glitch, it's Germany"
Cheddar, 2020

[lenschwedt]

This is called "Strategischer Vorteil".
You know. Just in case : )

[leongurski]

"Its not a glitch, its Germany" Aua, das tat weh😂

[ishouldhavetried]

The rest of the world:

Germany: N E I N

[georgobergfell]

The most secure data, is data, that isn't collected in the first place. Cheers from Germany

[strogelvauss]

I personally like the current state of street view in Germany. My home town is one of the few that had street view imagery taken back in 2008. And as it's not updated it's kind of a time capsule for me to see what the place I grew up in looked like when I was a kid. It's quite nostalgic to look at.

[mistercomment]

Video: Has the word "German" in the title.

Germans: I have been summoned, explain.

[md_alx]

A street view car drove by one time (i live in germany) and then i did a bunch of wheelies on my bike and the dude seemed quite pissed off. I think thats why he dont upload

[Certhasda]

4:34 actually, releasing dashcam footage with readable license plates is illegal because of all the same points you mentioned

[GeorgiaOverdrive]

Most streetview images in Germany haven’t been updated since 2008.

[greetonsmith]

Living in Germany and I feel so safe knowing that it's illegal to take photos and videos of people without their permission. I wish I could have this much freedom all over the world. Its the way things should be. You are free to live life as people should.

[aromaticsnail]

The issue here is seeing Germany as the outlier instead of the norm. Germany learned painfully at their expense the value of privacy. The rest of us keep giving way one of the most important the threaten civil rights. I've heard it from somewhere that the last few generations' revolutions in recent times fought for democracy and liberty, ours will need to fight for privacy.

[Durngor]

4:28 Speaking of Privacy, many German dash-cam channels would censor the numberplates as that can already get you a fine.

[pantelisgaitanidis]

I remember the day I tried to rend a house in Germany and I said "ok let's just take a look at the neighborhood" . Obviously no street view anywhere. Now I know why.

[wluna]

Now that I think about it... I was never asked if I wanted my house blurred 🤔