The government has given permission for Google Street View to operate in Israel but is requiring automatic blurring to protect privacy.
The Justice Ministry cleared Google Street View service in Israel, allowing viewers a panoramic picture of streets and even of people and vehicles through Google Maps, Globes reported.
"The panoramic photographs of public spaces randomly capture people and other objects that can identify a person, such as motor vehicles' license plates and residences,” the ministry stated. It emphasized that Google automatically blurs details, a condition stated in the agreement with Google.
The license also states that although the service is based in the United States, Israel can sue the company if it violates the agreement.
Google agreed not to challenge Israel’s Law, Information and Technology Authority’s power to take action against Google if there are violations.
Google also must advertise in newspapers and on the Internet that the public has a right to ask for additional blurring and must be told what streets can be photographed. Google also is required to clearly mark its vehicles, equipped with panoramic cameras that take the pictures that appear online.
“The registration terms we approved enable the operation of this high-value service without damaging the Israeli public's right to privacy,” said Law, Information and Technology Authority director Yoram HaCohen.