Getting something blurred out on Google street view

mark_cycling00

The Google van went past when my garage doors were wide open. As such anyone can now see that I have a garage full of expensive power tools and a flimsy lock 

I'd like to blur this but not the entire house as that might attract more attention to the property perhaps. The garage is not attached.

Before I try to do this, does anyone have any advice on how to do it and how to select the right section to blur?

I imagine there might not be an "undo"

Many thanks 

Mark_d

https://www.google.com/streetview/policy/

DullGreyGuy

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/3093484#report_issue

Follow the instruction above to "report a problem" on the image in question, you use that mechanism to ask them to blur things you don't want others to see

Slinky

If I saw an image with a garage blurred but nothing else blurred for the property, I'd assume the garage was full of something worth having. If the whole property is blurred, I'd just assume it's owned by a conspiracy theorist or the like, but not that it contains anything particularly valuable.

Something to think about perhaps.

A previous neighbour who lived about 4 doors away got his property blurred. Goodness knows why, the houses in the street were practically identical.

ETA, once a property it blurred, as I understand it, Google will never unblur it.

RumRat

I don't think people trawl street view looking for open garage doors. You didn't seem bothered enough to keep them shut and any passer by could see in.

cymruchris

If you have a garage full of expensive equipment where the doors have been open and is protected by a flimsy lock - that in itself is a wake up call to fit a better lock, and potentially add in a wireless alarm linked to the house. While you're sat there with your doors open, as much as the google car went by, so could any number of locals who'd be far more interested than someone randomly searching google maps...

mark_cycling00

Ok so you can request a blur. You position a square area on a specific image and then explain why you want it blurred and Google decide whether to do it or not.

A bit more detail is that I'm just outside the garage repairing something, therefore the doors are open. I'm dressed really scruffy and it's pretty embarrassing.
Also I'd say I am very recognizable but my face is 45degrees downwards so I didn't get blurred automatically.

I agree with the "Streisand" effect comments. I might just request a blur of myself and leave the garage 

Newbie_John

cymruchris said:

If you have a garage full of expensive equipment where the doors have been open and is protected by a flimsy lock - that in itself is a wake up call to fit a better lock, and potentially add in a wireless alarm linked to the house. While you're sat there with your doors open, as much as the google car went by, so could any number of locals who'd be far more interested than someone randomly searching google maps...

If I was a thief, blurred door or house would definitely catch my attention - what is there to hide ?

matelodave

TBH the average criminal is an opportunist and will just walk past and either case the place to come back later or nip in whilst you are indoors. They don't really put a lot of effort into exploring Google Earth unless you make your house stand out from the rest, then it will pique the interest of those who feel that there's summat worth exploring

If you are that bothered then dont leave the doors open for any |Tom, !!!!!! or Harry to get nefarious ideas and if you really think that you've got stuff worth nicking then fit better locks, an alarm and even a surveillance camera

Neil_Jones

Google Street View might allow somebody to case the joint but as above, its more a case of being in the right place at the right time with an opportunity.  Why break into somewhere if you juts happen to have left it open anyway?