I think you're giving the average thief far too much credit. Like Bitt says, they know the affluent areas and they're much more likely to come round during the day while you're out to have a good look at your house than rely on some rather fuzzy distorted pictures that could've been taken over 12 months ago and for all they know, hideously out of date.

I think we're unlikely to see burglars using Google to put way-points in their iPhones of all the houses worth burgling.

I told him to go and take his lunch early if he had a problem with it.

But it wasn't my house that was for sale/rent, it was next door. The photo was taken of my house without my knowledge and the first I knew about it was when I went on their website to see how much the property was going for. It was in a searchable database (the estate agent's website) was advertised in the local newspapers.

As far as I can see, Google do not trespass on private property, nor do they drive up people's driveways. Until they start letting themselves into people's properties unannounced then launch houseview I can't see why people have a problem. I think the people in the village in the article obviously believe that with money comes unnecessary privilege.

I'm actually on streetview here. I was actually quite happy to have found myself, so happy in fact that if there was an option to un-fuzz my face I would do it.

What's the difference between your partner discovering you coming out of a sex shop in Soho on streetview and simply bumping into you in the street as it happens? Likewise if you're seen conducting an extra-marital affair then maybe you have more pressing personal issues that need dealing with first before blaming an internet service for supposedly invading your privacy despite the fact it's all taken place on public property.