As more and more users visit countries around the world via Google Maps, some have noticed that some houses are blurred.
Google Maps may be a solution anchored in the habits of many Internet users, it is always possible to find new features there. Thus, by using Google Maps in “first person” mode and walking through certain cities, it is possible to observe from time to time certain locations which are blurred.
More specifically, these vague locations apply to sensitive places (military sites in particular), but also to individual houses. Locations such as stores, cinemas and other public places do not appear to be affected. This is how several Internet users looked into the phenomenon to understand where these strange blurry zones came from that we cannot observe very often.
However, the answer is obvious: these are private properties that the owners do not want to appear on Google Maps. Blurring prevents the occupants of a house from seeing their home and all the exterior details visible to the whole world on the internet.
However, few users know that it is possible to blur a home with a simple request sent to Google. It must be said that to do this, you have to go through very discreet menus in the application or the Google Maps site, which are even difficult to find.
If you want to blur your home or private property, start by typing the address into Google Maps. Once in front, look at the bottom right of your screen to find the “report a problem” option. Google will then tell you the address you are in front of and the reason why you are reporting this image. You will then find the option “request a blur” and can indicate whether it is a face, a home, a vehicle/license plate or another object.
For most requests, it is obviously advisable to select “My home”, but if you want to blur your face that appears by accident on Google Maps, that is also possible. Note that Google already automatically blurs faces and relies on artificial intelligence to do so, as for certain locations and content that could be potentially shocking (scenes of nudity, violence, etc.). But failures can sometimes remain.
You will then just have to enter your email address and validate the CAPTCHA to send your request to Google. However, you will have to wait a few weeks or even months depending on the case and it is possible that the latter will contact you to obtain more information or official documents from you.