Frankfurt court bans Google from publishing private aerial imagery

A regional court in Frankfurt am Main has ruled that Google must cease the publication of three-dimensional aerial images of a private residential property on Google Earth and Google Maps if the owner objects. The decision by the 3rd Civil Chamber of the District Court found that the detailed 3D imagery violated the plaintiff's general right of personality.

The plaintiff, a father living in Frankfurt with his family, had previously successfully sought to have his home blurred on Google Street View and Apple Look Around. The current ruling specifically addresses aerial views that capture the rear areas of the property, which are not visible to passersby from the street. The court noted that these images could allow conclusions to be drawn about the residents' lifestyle and reveal potential security-relevant access points.

In its reasoning, the court criticized Google's method of data collection, describing it as a form of secret “spying” (Ausspähung). Because high-altitude flights are not announced in advance, residents are unable to obscure private areas before being photographed. The court rejected Google's defense regarding the freedom of information and the democratization of knowledge, stating that these goals do not justify infringing upon private spaces. The judgment is not yet legally binding as an appeal is possible.