If it unsettles you to see your home displayed on Google Maps, there’s something you can do about this. Why might this be a concern? Information is “intelligence.” Information to some is power. The logistics of your home may empower certain people, like burglars. Example; if you’re in a residentially cluttered area vs. a remote area with nearby woods, these details can mean something to a would-be intruder.
In additional to aerial shots, did you know that Google Maps also shows street level views? Uh ohhh…Ya. That can include cars parked outside, people, etc.
Visit Google Maps and type in your address. In the lower left of the screen you will see a thumbnail image called “Satellite.” Click to reveal the satellite image of your area, and see if your street is in view. Look for your dwelling.
How do these images get into the Google Maps system in the first place? Someone from Google actually drives around in a funky car with a crazy 360′ camera strapped to it taking photos. The camera doesn’t discriminate if your young daughters just happen to be sunbathing in the yard at that time.
Play around with the site’s interactive features to see just how much about your home a snooping stranger could learn. The Google Maps site allows zoom-ins that can pick up pretty clear views of what’s inside your garage (if it was opened the day the Google driver was taking pictures) or inside your home (yes, the images are that close-up).
Note, however, that the license plates of vehicles are blurred out. Google claims they also blur out people, but this tactic doesn’t always work, as at least one person claims he saw his license plate very clearly.
We can’t delete our address from Google Maps. But we can get this behemoth to blur out your house.
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Locate your property to street view level.
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In the bottom right-hand corner, click the icon called “Report a problem.”
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This will take you to “Report inappropriate street view.”
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Tweak the page to get your home inside the red box and fill out the form.
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Type the verification code and submit.
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Wait a few days then check to see if your home is blurred out.
You can even make requests for specific things to be blurred, like the $3,000 water fountain in your front yard.
Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston.