German court bans Google Maps from displaying private aerial imagery

The District Court of Frankfurt am Main has ordered Google to remove aerial and satellite images of a private residential property from Google Maps and Google Earth. The ruling follows a lawsuit by a resident who had previously successfully requested the blurring of his home on Google Street View and Apple’s Look Around.

The court determined that the three-dimensional aerial views violate the owner’s personality rights and privacy. Specifically, the images reveal areas of the property, such as rear gardens and terraces, that are not visible from the street. The judges noted that these views could allow observers to infer details about the residents' lifestyles or identify potential access points to the property.

While Google argued that the images serve the public interest in information, the court ruled that privacy protections outweigh this interest. The court also criticized the method of data collection, noting that aerial photography is often conducted from high altitudes without prior announcement, leaving property owners unable to protect their private spaces. The decision is not yet legally binding, and Google may appeal to the Higher Regional Court.