Court rules Google must pay $12,500 to man photographed naked by Street View camera: report

Core Viewpoint - An Argentine appeals court ruled that Google must pay approximately $12,500 to a man whose naked photograph was taken by a Google Street View car in his backyard, highlighting significant privacy concerns related to the company's practices [1][5][12]. Legal Ruling - The court found that Google committed a "serious error" by publishing the image, which was taken in a private space behind a tall wall [1][5]. - The initial dismissal of the case by a lower court was overturned, emphasizing that the image was captured within the confines of the man's home, constituting a blatant invasion of privacy [5][9]. Financial Implications - The court awarded the plaintiff approximately £9,300, equivalent to $12,500 USD, reflecting the humiliation caused by the exposure [5][12]. Privacy Protections - Argentina's constitution and privacy laws provide strong protections for personal dignity, even when individuals are partially visible from public spaces [9]. - The ruling may set a precedent for similar privacy claims in Latin America, where privacy protections are often more stringent than in the U.S. [13]. Google's Policies - The court referenced Google's policy of blurring faces and license plates as an acknowledgment of its responsibility to prevent harm, indicating that the company should have flagged the image in question [11][12]. - Google's Street View policy includes the use of advanced blurring technology and allows users to request additional removals [13].