Privacy and Google Earth
22 August 2008
The Daily Mail (of all publications!) has been writing recently about how people’s privacy could be invaded as a result of Google Earth’s “spy cars”. These take 360º images of individual streets which are then shown on Google’s “Street View”, which is basically a more sophisticated version of Google Earth. The newspaper has claimed the images will include close-ups of buildings, cars and people, as well as pictures showing people leaving and entering hospitals, health clinics, “adult shops” and hotels.
Of course, pictures of high profile individuals at the above locations represent the Holy Grail for publications such as the Daily Mail. And, as PRs will know better than anyone, images of individuals door stepped at their homes are equally highly sought after.
Less well known is the fact that much can be done to make it harder for journalists to track down individuals at their homes. For example, individuals’ addresses can be removed from the electoral register. It’s also possible to remove information from Companies House records. Every director of a UK registered company is required to provide their residential address to Companies House. However, if the director can show that the public availability of their address will create a serious risk that he/she will be subject to intimidation (which could include harassment by journalists and photographers); it’s possible to obtain a Confidentiality Order restricting public access to the records.
Whilst determined journalists (particularly those who are prepared to turn a blind eye to private agents breaking the law on their behalves) will nearly always be able to locate the whereabouts of individuals who do not want to be found in times of crises; steps can be taken to, at the very least, slow the process down and allow time for a PR strategy to be prepared. It might be prudent to suggest these kinds of measures to directors of high profile companies or companies which might become high profile. In addition to help preserving their privacy, there can be obvious security concerns in having the addresses of affluent individuals, whose likely whereabouts are fairly easy to predict, in the public domain.
Jenny Afia is an Associate at Schillings.
She can be contacted on +44 (0)20 7034 9157 or
jenny.afia@schillings.co.uk
For press enquiries please contact:
Christopher Mills
christopher.mills@schillings.co.uk
+ 44 (0)20 7034 9000
First published on Gorkana as part of Schillings' regular contribution to their site.
Gorkana is about creating a media market place for both financial/corporate PR professionals and the media to engage and interact. www.gorkanapr.com