Google Pays Woman for Showing Her Cleavage in Street View
Google Street View has gotten themselves in trouble again. But maybe she should've covered those things a bit better. Don't want 'em seen, put 'em away.
Because, according to the judge, Google invaded the privacy of Maria Pia Grillo of Montreal, Canada, they've been ordered to pay her $2,250. Why it wasn't the $45,000 she initially sued for is a good read because NONE of this would happen in the U.S..
In 2009, Maria was sitting on her front steps, texting, while wearing a very low-cut top and that's when the Street View camera car snapped the photo that caused her 'shock and embarrassment. Google blurred her face in the photo but a fair amount of cleavage can be seen as well as her license plate and address. Two years later, Grillo started legal proceedings against Google to “blur” the rest of her, as well as her license plate and address. She also demanded the company pay $45,000 for emotional damage, including depression and mockery from her co-workers at a “well-known bank” where she worked.
From gigaom.com:
Google agreed to blur out more of the image, but rejected her money claims on the grounds that Grillo was in a public place
She didn't get 45 grand, because the judge said the "emotional distress" thing was nonsense. And why'd she wait two years to sue?
But the judge also rejected Google’s “public place” defense and said people do not forfeit their privacy rights simply by being in a location others can see them. He ordered the company to pay Grillo $2,250 plus interest and an additional $159 in court costs.
Apparently the law is different in the U.S., she wouldn't have gotten anything here.
For more Google Street View fun, click this:
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