ATHENS, Greece, May 12 (UPI) -- Google's plan to expand its Google Maps service has been blocked in Greece at least temporarily by a data protection agency, Greek officials said.
Greek authorities want to know what Google would do to protect privacy rights, including how long it would keep the images saved in its database, the BBC reported Tuesday.
The Hellenic Data Protection Authority fears expanding Google's Street View service would pose an invasion of privacy.
But, Google in a statement said it would make sure Street View adheres to Greek standards.The statement said talks are under way with the data protection agency. Google said it believes the service eventually would benefit both Greek users and the people outside the country who would like to take a virtual tour of tourist attractions.
Street View was initiated in the United States two years ago and now covers nine countries, including Britain. Google plans to spread the service all over Europe, the statement said.
