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Did Google Maps publish your image or personal info? Here’s what you can do about it

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:59PM EST
How To Blur Google Maps Images

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It finally happened. You were decided to check out the Google Maps Street View of your home address or an area you frequent, and you were shocked to find a picture of your own face staring back at you. Oh, the horror! As disconcerting as it might be to learn that Google has published images of your face, the license plate number on your car, or some other personal information on Google Maps, rest assured that correcting the issue really couldn’t be easier.

Here’s what you need to do:

FROM EARLIER: 50+ of the strangest things you will ever see on Google Street View

Thankfully, CNET has put together a quick guide that explains the exact steps you should take if you find your personal information on display in Google Maps.

First, on the page with the imagery in question, click the “Report a problem” link in the bottom right corner. This will take you directly to the page where you can specify which picture has unauthorized imagery, and you can show Google what to blur out.

The ensuing form shows the exact Street View you were looking at on the previous page, but with a black and red box in the middle of the frame. Zoom in or out and pan around until the area you want blurred is in that box.

After that, you’ll just need to follow the instructions on the page and explain exactly what you’re trying to blur, as well as why.

The entire process will take you a few minutes at most, and more detailed instructions can be found by following the source link below.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.