Google makes Streetview available again in Germany after a 12-year hiatus
Google makes Streetview available again in Germany. The company withdrew there in 2011 after lawsuits and fuss about the privacy impact. Streetview is now available again with updated images for a large part of the country. The remaining areas will follow later.
Google Streetview is immediately available again in Germany, says Google. That happens after more than twelve years; Google withdrew in 2011. With Streetview, a large part of Germany can be visited virtually, with the exception of a few places that are largely outside the densely populated areas. When Google stopped Streetview in 2011, only the twenty largest cities were still visible. Many other areas are now being added.
The images have also been updated. Most Street View photos were taken in 2022 or 2023. In June, Google also hit the road again in Germany to create even newer images. Google also says it will include areas that are not currently included.
Google says that, as in other countries, it will automatically blur faces and license plates. The company does not provide further information about any privacy measures that are stricter in Germany than in other countries, although that was the reason that Google had to withdraw there at the time. One of the biggest hurdles was collecting SSIDs, which Google did while capturing the images. After several complaints and lawsuits, Google decided to leave Germany.