Google prevented from collecting new images for Street View

Czech data protection authorities have stopped Google collecting new images to update its Street View service. The Office for Personal Data Protection this week rejected for a second time Google's application to collect personal data on the grounds that the process could potentially break the law. Czechs can already request their images be blurred out, but there is still a question over car registration plates or facades of houses appearing on Street View, which covers the capital Prague and three other cities.

A spokeswoman for the office said the decision would not ban Google from using photographs already taken since the Czech launch of Street View in October 2009. She said talks over the use of data would continue.