Protect Your Privacy: Why Homeowners Should Blur Their Home on Google Maps & How
Blur Your Home on Google Maps: A Simple Step to Deter Burglars
Homeowners invest in security cameras and heavy-duty locks, but experts warn that overlooking one digital step could leave properties vulnerable: blurring your home on Google Maps.
Burglars increasingly use online tools like Google Street View to scout entry points, spot security measures, and assess potential valuables. Ryan Railsback, a Riverside Police Department officer, urges homeowners to obscure their homes on the platform. “Criminals use innovative methods to target victims,” he told ABC News. “Blurring your home disrupts their plans.”
How to Blur Your Home
Google allows residents to request permanent blurring of their property. Steps include:
- Locate your home on Google Maps.
- Open the Street View image.
- Click “Report a problem” (bottom right corner).
- Submit the form, specifying blurring requests.
Only owners or tenants can make requests, and approval typically takes days. Once blurred, the image won’t show identifiable details.
Blurred homes in affluent areas like Kensington are already common (Image: Daily Mail).
Why It Matters
Christopher Herrmann, a crime science professor, notes thieves use Street View to study home layouts, security cameras, and gates. Limiting this access adds a layer of protection. However, he warns that a blurred house might inadvertently highlight it as a “high-value target” among unblurred neighbors.
Owners in upscale neighborhoods like Knightsbridge often opt for privacy (Image: Daily Mail).
Balancing Privacy and Risk
While blurring deters casual scouting, experts recommend pairing it with physical measures like alarms and motion-sensor lights. Railsback adds, “It’s about staying ahead of criminals’ tactics.”
Security systems remain vital alongside digital precautions (Image: Daily Mail).
Ultimately, blurring your home is a quick, free precaution—ideal for privacy-conscious individuals. While not foolproof, it adds a hurdle for burglars, making your property less appealing. As Herrmann summarizes, “Why make it easy for them?”
Key Steps Recap:
- Locate property on Google Maps.
- Submit a blur request via “Report a problem.”
- Combine with traditional security measures for best results.
By taking a few minutes to blur your home, you join a growing trend prioritizing privacy and safety in the digital age.
