Google and Privacy

The world's greatest search engine seems to have caused raised eyebrows recently. First, some Japanese are not happy that Google has been snapping pictures for its Street View service. They want Google to stop providing detailed street-level images of Japanese cities. The head of a Japanese civilian group, The Campaign Against Surveillance Society, says, "It is necessary to warn society that an IT giant is openly violating privacy rights, which are important rights that the citizens have."

Now, there appears to be an emerging concern over Google's new phonebook service for the States. The following Q and A is making the rounds in newsletters on the Internet.

Question: I've heard that Google recently implemented a feature that enables anyone to type a phone number into the search bar and be able to see the corresponding address and view a map that shows where that home is located. I'm concerned that this could pose a safety risk for me and my family. Is there anything I can do?

Answer: Google did recently implement the feature you've described and it also provides a link that will give directions to the address. While this feature can certainly be convenient for your legitimate visitors, it could also lead strangers to your front door and create security issues. 

We encourage you to take a moment now to look up your own phone number and find out if it is mapped: 

   1. Go to http://www.google.com.

   2. Type your phone number (including area code) in the search bar.

   3. Press the "enter/return" key or click your cursor arrow on "Google Search."

   4. If your address information appears, click on the link "Phonebook results for..." located just above your address information.

   5. To remove your name from the Google phonebook, click on "Request to have your name removed from this list." Complete the form and click on "Submit Form." Your removal request will be processed in about two days.

If you have an unlisted number or cell phone as a primary contact, this Google map issue will not apply to you.

Also, if you only list your phone number in the regular phonebook directory and not your street address, your street address on the Google map may be just an approximation.