<h5>What is Google Maps Street View?</h5><p>Imagine if you could visit any place in any country you like while sitting in your home. You can do this by using Google Maps Street View. Street View puts together billions of panoramic photographs to visually represent one's surroundings on Google Maps. It helps one take a virtual tour of any place.</p><p>Using this feature makes one feel as if they are walking on the roads of the cities one wants to look at. The content on Street View is provided by two sources: Google and contributors. Google has used cars to collect most of the photographs. However, camels, boats, and people walking and taking photos of locations have also been used (wow!).</p><p>Recently, Google has announced that one can start using Google Maps Street View in India, even in rural areas.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/google-maps-street-view-is-now-available-across-india%2FGoogle_street_car_(23806138820).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=0b340671-3648-4a97-b0f4-e8eeb3d2d16a&amp;_gl=1*avsm0g*_ga*MTIzNjQ0ODg2NS4xNjgzNzk5MjMy*_ga_CW55HF8NVT*MTY4NTQzODg1Ny4xMC4xLjE2ODU0Mzk0MzkuMC4wLjA."><figcaption>&nbsp;A car that is used by Google for clicking pictures for Google Street View. Photo by Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0</figcaption></figure><h5>In which Indian cities is Google Street View available?</h5><p>Last year, the feature was made available in India. It was initially available in a few places like Bengaluru. However, Street View can now be used in various places across the country, including small villages and towns. Users can experience a 360-degree view of roads and houses as if they are present there.</p><p>A tiny message at the bottom right of the Google Maps web version shows when the image of a particular area was taken. This can be used to check where one is travelling, if one is in the correct location, and to assist in determining the places where one wishes to travel.</p><p>Google Maps Street View returned to India after it was banned for six years for security reasons.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/google-maps-street-view-is-now-available-across-india%2Fgoogle_street_view_screenshot.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=fca67309-1510-4d2d-88d2-49d83b30dfe6&amp;_gl=1*dcc7kg*_ga*MTIzNjQ0ODg2NS4xNjgzNzk5MjMy*_ga_CW55HF8NVT*MTY4NTQzODg1Ny4xMC4xLjE2ODU0Mzk3NzAuMC4wLjA."><figcaption>A screenshot of Google Street View. Photo by Google Maps.</figcaption></figure><h5>Why was Street View banned in India?</h5><p>Google Maps Street View was banned in India in 2016. One reason was that Street View photos could reveal a person's identity. This is a violation of a person’s privacy. The defence ministry had also raised concern over the use of Google Street View.</p><p>The defence ministry said someone could harm the country’s security using the Street View. Some reports say terrorists used Google Street View when planning the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. So, the government banned this feature in India. Google had submitted another request for the Street View service in 2018, but it was also rejected.</p><p>Now, Google has finally launched this feature in India after partnering with local organisations like Genesys International and Tech Mahindra. Google says this is the first time it has partnered with local organisations for Street View.</p><p>Also, Street View now blurs the faces of people in the images. The company says that they respect people’s privacy. So, Indian citizens can now use Street View easily.</p><h5>How can you use Google Maps Street View?</h5><p>Street View on Google Maps is available on smartphones via the app and the Google Maps website. First, you must open Google Maps in the browser on your computer. Then click ‘Turn on Street View’ from the ‘Layers’ box at the bottom left. Selecting this option will highlight the streets on the map in blue.</p><p>Then you can search for a location or click on the blue lines or drag and drop the small yellow-coloured person on the bottom right of the map to see a street view of the region. On iPhones and Android smartphones, you can open the Google Map application and click on the ‘Layers’ option on the top right corner and turn on street view.</p><p>Then you can search for a location or click on the blue lines to get an area's street view. One can also use the arrows on the images to move to other street-view locations. So, which places will you look at using this feature? Please tell us in the comments section.<br>&nbsp;</p>

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