Google Maps gives anyone and everyone an insight into roads all over the world.
While this can be great if you're feeling lost and need a more in depth view to find your way around, it can also some as a security issue for your home. While faces and car number plates are automatically blurred on the app, homes are mostly fully viewable.
This could be worrying for some people, as criminals could use the information on the website to get a better scope of your home. Google Maps can give them access to eyeing up your property to try and find the best access points or to have a better look at your belongings, as well as check for cameras or other security measures - helping potential burglars make a plan before breaking into your home.
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But there is a quick fix to sort this out as it’s relatively simple to get Google to blur your home. It’s important to note that this is a permanent change, so if, for whatever reason, you think you might benefit from your unblurred home being on Street View, then don’t request it be blurred.
Google said: "Google takes a number of steps to protect the privacy of individuals when Street View imagery is published to Google Maps. We have developed cutting-edge face and licence plate blurring technology that is designed to blur identifiable faces and licence plates within Google-contributed imagery in Street View.
"If you see that your face or licence plate requires additional blurring, or if you would like us to blur your entire house, car or body, submit a request using the 'Report a problem' tool.”
How to blur your home on Google Maps Street View
- You need to access Google Maps on your computer. A mobile device won't work as the blurring request isn’t available through its iOS and Android browser.
- Enter your address.
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When you’ve found your home on Street View, click the ‘report a problem’ button in the bottom right-hand side.
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Make sure your home - and any of its features - is fully contained inside the red box.
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Under ‘Why are you reporting this image’ use the ‘Request blurring’ tool and select ‘My home’.
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Provide a reason why - give privacy reasons here and also enter your email address.
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Submit the request
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