Google Street View - new service sparks privacy debate

The latest service to be offered by the Internet giant Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) heats up the privacy debate.

Google Street View - new service sparks privacy debate With Google Street-View you can zoom in to a place from Google's Map and see an actual 360 degree street level photographs. The images are not in real time - apparently Google sends out vehicles with cameras to drive through selected areas while taking a 360 image of the surroundings.

A cool feature, many privacy advocates are criticizing Google for the idea. Some are worried that child predators can use this service, others are afraid that terrorists may use Google Street View to explore a future target. And then, there are folks who just don't want their backyards photographed.

The online bookmakers finally took notice of Google and now there are betting odds on the company. At Bodog (new window) people from all over the world can bet on which company will Google buy out next:

Facebook - 5/1

Pandora Media, Inc. - 11/1

Automattic, Inc. - 12/1

Netflix, Inc. - 9/1

Tucows, Inc. - 11/1

CNet Networks Inc. - 7/1

GoDaddy.com, Inc. - 8/1

Kontera Technologies, Inc. - 13/2

Vibrant Media, Inc. - 11/2

CondeNet, Inc. - 15/2

Associated Press -7/1

The favorite, Facebook, seems like a good bet, although our money is on CNet.

Published on 06/01/2007