Google Maps has recently expanded its Street View feature to cover all roads in India, including those in rural areas and small towns. This feature allows users to virtually explore their surroundings, offering a 360-degree view of roads, houses, and landmarks as if they were physically present at the location.

This development comes after several years of privacy concerns that led to the initial rejection of the Street View feature in India. It was first introduced on a trial basis in Bengaluru last year, and after a successful pilot, it was finally accepted across the country.

Street View on Google Maps provides users with a unique way to explore a location before visiting. It offers a 360-degree viewing option for most places, while some locations are represented with static images. A notable feature is the timestamp on each image, indicating when the photo of a particular area was taken.

How to Use Street View on Google Maps

Google Maps Street View is accessible on both Android smartphones and iPhones, as well as on the Google Maps website. It allows users to explore world landmarks, natural wonders, museums, arenas, restaurants, and small businesses virtually.

Here’s how to use it:

On PC:

1. Open Google Maps on your browser.
2. Activate Street View from the “Layers” box at the bottom left.
3. Select an area manually or enter the location in the search box.

On Android phones or iPhones:

1. Open Google Maps on your smartphone.
2. Activate Street View from the “Layers” box at the bottom left on the app.
3. Select an area manually or enter the location in the search box.

The interface on both the web and app is quite similar. To explore an area further, simply click on the arrows to move forward on the map.

It’s worth noting that India had previously banned the use of Street View on Google Maps in 2016 due to security concerns. The feature was once again rejected in 2018 because it could potentially reveal the identity of individuals, violating their privacy.

However, the feature was finally approved after Google formed partnerships with local entities, including Genesys International and Tech Mahindra. Google has also taken steps to ensure privacy by blurring the faces of individuals captured in the panoramic photos, arguing that it only highlights public places and does not compromise anyone’s privacy.

Following its initial release in Bengaluru, Street View has been extended to additional cities across India. Although Google announced a pan-India launch last year, many images of remote locations carry the timestamp of 2023, indicating that these areas were covered under Street View this year.

Source: KalingaTV