Is Google crossing the line?

So Google introduced its Street Map View. As of now, you can only see certain cities in the US map with this feature. Before you were able to see aerial views of what was on the map via satellite. Now they have moved from aerial to street view.

http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/index.html

I must say that I am extremely amazed and impressed with this new map. Not only can you see the city as if you were physically there but you can navigate around the city continuously as if you were taking a stroll down the street. As if that wasn't enough- you can ZOOM IN. You can see into peoples apartments, you can see what people are doing outside, you can see it all!

Now, this is when privacy may come into play. How much is too much for people to handle. This mini brave new world view is a little frightening for some. In an article in the NY Times, a woman in California was disturbed when she tried out the Street View demo and saw her cat in the window of her building. She claims, "If the government was doing this, people would be outraged." I have to agree with that.

Google stated, "This imagery is no different from what any person can readily capture or see walking down the street." It seems fair. However, I do have a slight issue with that. The zooming can really be like a "peeping Tom" kinda thing. Yes people do walk down the street and can see things for themselves- but the zooming is like someone going across your lawn, getting a ladder or stoop, and proceeding to peak into your window. I think that is a little too much.

Maybe they can reduce the zoom??