Google Unable To Claim Top Spot In Czech Republic

Google

is the world's leader in search engine services, except for the Czech Republic. A recent Wall Street Journal

by Sean Carney says, the Silicon Valley company earlier this month announced that after four years of trying, it has yet to take the leading position on the Czech search engine market. This week Google took another blow from the Czechs when the country's data protection office, UOOU, continued to deny Google the ability to gather data for its Street View mapping service, citing legal hurdles. The Czechs want Google keeping out of private affairs. The reports adds, “In order to provide the Street View service, Google Inc. uses technological processes that disproportionately invade citizens' privacy,” Igor Nemec, UOOU chairman, said Wednesday. Mr. Nemec said dozens of people have complained to the Czech police and UOOU over photographs of interiors of homes, personal items and people engaged in private activities appearing on the Internet for all to see. Mr. Nemec added this could create security issues for the individuals appearing in the photos. Google was disappointed but also insisted that it has ample security procedures in place to protect privacy. The height of the camera is important to prevent pedestrians' heads from being too close to the camera and the company will continue to talk with Czech authorities to overcome all obstacles, said Janka Zichova, Google's Czech spokesperson. But Google has also failed to meet European requirements to gather data in the Czech Republic, Mr. Nemec said. The report finishes adding that Google now publishes only blurred images of individuals photographed in the Czech Republic. The unresolved issue centers on whether the U.S. company can use nonblurred photos of car license plates, items within private property and building facades. The two sides have continued to negotiate since the last ruling on Sep 2.