Used by over 1,000,000,000 people every month, Google Maps helps tourists, drivers and commuters find their way around.
But the navigation tool has one relatively unknown feature which could be crucial for keeping you and your family safe.
Google Street View provides panoramic images of streets all around the world, captured by cameras on cars that drive around public roads.
Experts are warning that Street View makes it possible for ‘anyone from burglars through to stalkers’ to peek at someone’s property.
So some recommend users start blurring their homes on Street View, a service of Google Maps, to reduce their risk of becoming a target.
Why should you blur your house on Google Maps?
Security expert Will Geddes told Metro that criminals could use Google Maps to scope out properties and form plans to break in.
He said: ‘Blurring your house prevents anybody from getting any really specific information or intelligence on it.
‘This includes what the features are, how many windows, how many floors, and any possible security on the property, such as CCTV cameras.’
Another way robbers and thieves use Google Street View is to assess the value of any properties they are thinking of targeting.
Geddes explained: ‘If you have a photograph of the property, you could make a fairly good accurate assessment for how much that property might be worth.
‘Another thing that Google Maps might potentially capture is vehicles, the types of vehicles that are outside.
‘It might show that you’ve got a BMW or a Mercedes or whatever, it might be parked outside.’
The security pro says choosing to blur your home would be a ‘personal security’ step and a ‘good thing’.
How to do it
Anyone looking to obscure their home on Street View needs to first find their property on the map.
Then they can click ‘Report a problem’ in the lower right corner.
This will bring up a short form that allows users to specify the area they want blurred.
Google says that once a place is blurred, it cannot be reversed.
The tech giant says on a support webpage: ‘We’ll review your report as fast as we can.
‘If you entered your email address in the form, we may contact you to get additional information or to update you on the status of your report.’
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