An Argentine appeals court has ordered Google to pay $12,500 to a man who was photographed naked in his backyard by a Google Street View camera. The incident occurred in 2017 in Bragado, a town west of Buenos Aires, when the man, reportedly a police officer, was captured unclothed behind a 6-foot-6 wall. His house number and street name were visible in the image, which remained online for an undisclosed period before being removed.
The man sued Google Argentina in 2019, claiming the exposure caused humiliation among neighbors and colleagues. Initially, a lower court dismissed the case, blaming the man for being outside in an “inappropriate condition.” However, the appeals court reversed that decision in July 2025, citing a “blatant invasion of privacy” since the image was taken within the confines of his home, not a public space.
The court emphasized that Google’s own policy of automatically blurring faces and license plates should have extended to prevent the exposure of the man’s entire naked body. The ruling could pave the way for similar privacy claims, especially in regions like Latin America, where privacy laws are stringent.
As of now, Google has not responded to the ruling or indicated whether it will appeal. The decision highlights the balance between technology and privacy rights, especially in areas with robust privacy protections like Argentina.
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