Argentinian Court Orders Google to Pay Compensation Over Street View Privacy Breach
An Argentinian appellate court has ruled that Google must pay ₹10 lakh (approx. USD 12,500) in compensation to a police officer whose naked image was captured by a Street View camera in his private backyard. The court emphasized the importance of digital privacy and the need for tech companies to implement robust safeguards.
Digital PrivacyGoogleStreet ViewCompensationLegal PrecedentReal Estate PuneJul 28, 2025
The incident occurred in 2017 in a small Argentinian town, where the officer was briefly undressed inside his walled residential property. Despite being surrounded by a 2-meter-high (approximately 6.6 feet) fence, the camera captured the scene from the street. The resulting image, which showed his unclothed back and included identifiable details like the house number and street name, was later broadcast on national TV and spread widely on social media.
Claiming emotional distress, loss of dignity, and a violation of personal privacy, the officer pursued legal action, alleging the exposure had damaged his reputation both professionally and within the community. Initially, a lower court dismissed the case, siding with Google’s argument that the wall’s height was inadequate to ensure privacy and that the officer should have exercised more caution when unclothed outdoors, even in his own backyard.
However, an appeals court overturned the decision, stating that the image clearly originated from a private space and that the existence of a boundary wall indicated a reasonable expectation of privacy. In a strongly worded judgment, the court noted that Google’s failure to detect and censor the explicit content constituted a serious lapse. While Google typically uses algorithms to blur faces and license plates, the court stressed that these protections should have extended to instances of full nudity, especially when captured from private property.
“This was not just a technical oversight,” the judges stated. “It was a serious breach of privacy and human dignity. Google had a duty to implement safeguards against such violations.” The court ruled that only Google would be liable, absolving Cablevision SA and news outlet El Censor, which had published the image later. The judges clarified that these entities merely reported the incident and did not directly contribute to the officer’s exposure.
Legal analysts believe this judgment could have broader implications, potentially setting a precedent for digital privacy protections and increasing the accountability of tech companies when public image-capture technologies cross into private domains. The ruling underscores the growing importance of privacy laws in the digital age and the need for tech giants to take proactive measures to protect individuals from unintended exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the incident that led to the lawsuit?
A police officer's naked image was unintentionally captured by a Google Street View camera while he was in his private backyard. The image was later broadcast on national TV and spread on social media, leading to emotional distress and a violation of his privacy.
What was the initial ruling by the lower court?
The lower court dismissed the case, siding with Google’s argument that the wall’s height was inadequate to ensure privacy and that the officer should have been more cautious when unclothed outdoors.
Why did the appellate court overturn the lower court's decision?
The appellate court ruled that the image clearly originated from a private space and that the existence of a boundary wall indicated a reasonable expectation of privacy. The court also noted that Google’s failure to detect and censor the explicit content was a serious lapse.
What was the amount of compensation ordered by the court?
The court ordered Google to pay ₹10 lakh (approximately USD 12,500) in compensation to the police officer.
What are the broader implications of this ruling?
This ruling could set a precedent for digital privacy protections and increase the accountability of tech companies when public image-capture technologies cross into private domains. It highlights the need for robust safeguards to protect individuals from unintended exposure.
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