Google forced to black out the Browns

Published on Tuesday 9 November 2010 14:24

THE internet firm Google has been forced to black out details of former PM Gordon Brown's home from its controversial Street View mapping service.

The company acted within days of Mr Brown's security team being tipped off on detailed images showing security cameras and even armed guards on patrol at the rural property in Fife.

A Street View image of his Fife home clearly showed armed police patrolling the garden.

The pictures also allowed detailed examination of the gate and other security measures at the property, where Mr Brown's children now live since switching schools from London to Scotland. It is believed that when Fife Constabulary was made aware of the images it contacted Google and asked for them to be removed.

Google has been at the centre of a storm over Street View, which allows internet users to study photographic images of almost every street in Britain.

It has emerged the firm unwittingly collected huge amounts of private data from unsecured wireless networks as its camera cars photographed streets around the UK.

But when the Google car passed Mr Brown's home, it captured an image that potentially compromised the security of the former prime minister, his wife Sarah and their young family.

It clearly showed two armed and uniformed police officers, patrolling side-by-side. Both appeared to be carrying holstered pistols. One had a weapon slung over his shoulder, while the other held a rifle.

The original picture also allowed internet snoopers to zoom in and examine in fine detail the access to Brown's home, including the gate, entry phone, and CCTV system.

Street View is now completely blacked out at this point. The screen simply states that the image has been removed.

Concern over the issue is particularly high since it was made public that Mr Brown had decided to move his two children from their London schools and enrol them in a local primary.

The location of the property, which is backed by a mixture of open land and woods, also gives security teams a headache.

It is understood two armed police are on round-the-clock guard at Mr Brown's home. Neighbours are used to seeing armed officers on foot patrol in the street and the grounds of his home. The team also uses a marked police vehicle to tour the roads in and around the North Queensferry house.

Google said it did not comment on "any individual removal request". It added: "Street View only contains imagery that is visible from public roads, and features technology that blurs both faces and car number plates."

Google said users could request to have themselves, their car or their house removed from Street View if they lwanted.

A spokesman for Mr Brown declined to discuss the issue of his security.