Swiss privacy czar sues Google

BERN, Switzerland, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Internet giant Google hasn't done enough to safeguard the privacy of those who appear in its Street View mapping system, a Swiss official says.

Switzerland's federal data protection commissioner, Hanspeter Thur, said Friday he is suing Google to force it to make changes to its popular application, which enables users to see panoramic streetscapes in U.S. and in European cities, Swissinfo.com reported.

Google already blurs faces and license plate numbers shown in the Street View scenes, but Thur told reporters in Bern the blurring is insufficient and contended Google had rejected other demands.

"Faces and vehicle number plates are not made sufficiently anonymous from the point of view of data protection, especially in cases where the persons concerned are shown in sensitive locations, such as outside hospitals, prisons or schools," Thur told Swissinfo.

"We are disappointed that Herr Thur has changed his position on Street View after launch, and that he has not considered our proposals for further improvements to the product," Google said in a statement. "We will vigorously defend Street View in court and we're committed to continue bringing the benefits of this product to Swiss users."