Google Street View images removed after privacy

US software giant Google said Friday it had removed several images
from its Street View software, which allows web surfers to view parts
of 25 British cities, after users raised privacy concerns.

Street View displays 360-degree ground-level images captured by
roaming cars using digital photography equipment.

The cars began taking images last summer, and continue to capture
images across the country, allowing the service to expand after its
launch here on Thursday.

Just 24 hours after its release in Britain, however, Google said it
had removed several pictures, including ones that users found
embarrassing, such as one of a man leaving a sex shop in central
London's Soho neighbourhood, or another one of a man vomiting outside
a pub in the east of the British capital.

A spokeswoman for the American Internet company declined to confirm
the precise number of photos that were removed, but said it had been
"less than expected."

Google says it has developed sophisticated software that ensures that
individual's faces and vehicle license plates are blurred.