I came acrost this story/blog post on the BBC News website today. Last week Simon Davies, the director of Privacy International, wrote a letter to Google asking about Google privacy privacy protection standards will be up to the task at hand.
You may be aware that Privacy International has stated, both privately to Google legal staff and to the media, that we are concerned about a number of potential violations of national law that this technology may create.
- Simon Davies
Director
Privacy International
The reply from Google is online today.
You correctly note, however, that we had publicly committed to respect other countries' privacy laws and norms, if and when we did launch outside the US. Yesterday's launch therefore not only brought the value of Street View to new shores and new users, it also demonstrated our commitment to meet the privacy challenges of the product.
-Jane Horvath
Senior Privacy Counsel
While Google says they are ready to go and that the system is working fine, they do admit some faces and license plates are missed because of a combination of reasons.
I think at this point it is more of a "Wait and See" game.