Frankfurt court rules Google Maps and Earth aerial imagery breaks German privacy law

Germany's Frankfurt Regional Court has ruled that Google is violating the country's privacy laws by displaying people's properties on Google Earth and Google Maps without permission, equating the satellite and aerial 3D imagery services to "spying."

The ruling came in a case brought by a Frankfurt homeowner who had previously forced Google Street View and Apple Look Around to blur photographs of his family's home. The man's identity was not disclosed, in keeping with German privacy law.

The court held that Google cannot publish aerial imagery of properties — particularly areas not visible from a public street — without the consent of property owners. The judges also ruled that Google must give property owners advance notice before an area is photographed, and noted that such imagery could be used by burglars.

Google said it "strongly" disagreed with the ruling and would appeal. The company argued it was providing a public service, describing its imagery as drawn from a mosaic of satellite and aerial photographs used for urban planning, environmental research and disaster relief. The court rejected that argument.