Report about error

With the help of the Ministry of Justice, the legal debate between the State Data Protection Inspectorate and Google has ended in a consensus to allow the Google Street View project to go forward.  Google cars began implementation on Friday, June 8^th, according to delfi.lt.

The project will be executed in compliance with data protection requirements, determined by EU and Lithuanian Law. Google will operate in our country through one of its branches in Ireland, which will be accountable for proper data management and publicity.

According to Minister for Justice Remigijus Šimasius, filming will only take place in public areas, and any people, faces or car plates captured on film will be blurred using special techniques. All information given for public use will be depersonalized.

At first, Google cars will cruise and film around the capital; subsequently, Siauliai, Klaipeda, Kaunas, Alytus, Panevezys, Marijampole, Mazeikiai, Jonava, Utena, Kedainiai, Telsiai, Visaginas, Taurage, Ukmerge, Plunge, Kretinga, Silute, Radviliskis, Palanga, Gargzdai, Druskininkai, Rokiskis, Birzai, Elektrenai, Garliava, Kursenai, Jurbarkas, Vilkaviskis, Raseiniai, Anyksciai, Lentvaris, Grigiskes, Naujoji Akmene, Prienai, Joniskis will follow. Major roads connecting cities and small towns along the way are to be photographed as well.

Local media sources will be informed about planned Google actions before the cars actually reach different regions, in an effort to help avoid any misunderstandings if an unpleasant situation is captured on the street view.

“This is extremely important for tourism. People want to see what the place looks like before actually going there. Moreover, locals who wish to relocate will be able to look around the new neighborhood; disabled people will be able to see if the place they are going to has a ramp for wheelchairs or parking spaces. Service is widely popular among carrier companies, willing to verify if the destination can be reached with their trucks. Service consumers are really creative about it, it is part of their everyday routine now,” said the head of the  Street View project U. Spitzer.

Translated by Dovilė Rokaitė
Edited by Karen Di Prima