JERUSALEM (JTA) — Google launched its Street View project In Israel.
Google Israel’s managing director Meir Brand and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat launched the project Monday in front of the Old City walls.
The Google cars and tricycles, fitted with 360-degree cameras to take panoramic images, will begin collecting images in Jerusalem, including the Old City, the Israeli business daily Globes reported. Tel Aviv and Haifa also will be filmed, as will tourist attractions such as the Dead Sea and the Ramon Crater.
Google Street View, an online mapping tool, provides a 3-D view of buildings, landmarks and streets around the world. It is available in 30 countries.
Israel’s Justice Ministry set several conditions on its approval, including the right for Israelis to request further blurring of residences and license plates. Israeli officials reportedly had been concerned that terrorists would use the service to plan attacks in Israel.
