Millions of people use Google Maps every day to get directions, explore neighborhoods, or find a friend’s house.
But the same tool that makes navigation easier could also provide criminals with a detailed view of your home.
Google Maps’ Street View feature allows anyone with an internet connection to see a high-resolution, 360-degree image of many homes, including driveways, vehicles and other details visible from the street.
Cybersecurity experts say thieves or stalkers could potentially use those images to gather information about a property before committing a crime.
Fortunately, Google allows homeowners to request that their homes be blurred on Street View, making it more difficult for others to view their property online.
KPRC 2 consumer investigator Bill Spencer spoke with cyber detective and cybersecurity expert Coleman Ryan, who said publicly available Street View images can provide valuable information to criminals.
A clear image of a home may reveal:
- Entry points to a property
- Security cameras
- Gates and fences
- Vehicles parked in the driveway
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While blurring your home won’t eliminate all privacy concerns, Ryan said it’s one way homeowners can reduce their online footprint.
How to blur your house on Google Maps
- Open Google Maps on your computer.
- Enter your home address.
- Switch to Street View so your home appears.
- Click “Report a problem” in the bottom-right corner of the image.
- Adjust the red box so it covers your home.
- Select “My home” as the item you want blurred.
- Explain your request and submit the form.
- Enter your email address so Google can contact you if additional information is needed.
- Google may follow up with questions before processing your request.
- Once Google approves the request, the blurring is generally permanent and cannot be reversed.