Security experts are urging homeowners to consider blurring their homes on Google Maps’ Street View amid growing concerns that criminals are using online imagery to identify easy targets.
At a Glance
- Google Maps allows permanent blurring of residential properties via Street View.
- Experts warn that burglars use digital tools to scout homes and entry points.
- A blurred house may deter crime—but could also draw unwanted attention.
- Once a home is blurred, it cannot be unblurred—ever.
- Privacy advocates recommend combining digital privacy with physical security.
Street View: A Criminal’s Preview?
Digital visibility has a dark side. Police say burglars increasingly rely on Google Street View to examine neighborhoods, flag security systems, or pinpoint easy entry routes. In response, Google lets users submit a request to blur their home—a move many are taking in pursuit of added safety.
To blur your home, simply open Street View, select “Report a problem,” and highlight your property. Once reviewed and approved, the blur is permanent. There’s no undo button.
Watch a report: Why More Homeowners Are Blurring Their Addresses.
Blur Strategy: Smart Privacy or Red Flag?
Experts are split. Some believe digital concealment can reduce risk by limiting what bad actors can see online. Reddit privacy forums are flooded with advice urging users to hide homes, especially high-value or vulnerable properties.
But others caution that a blurred house may stand out, potentially signaling to criminals that there’s something worth hiding. “In some areas,” wrote one user, “a blur might be more conspicuous than what it’s hiding.”
Google already auto-blurs faces and license plates. But homes require a manual request, and the company won’t reverse the blur once it’s processed—even if you move or change your mind.
The Verdict: Protect, But Don’t Rely on Blur Alone
Blurring your house is a proactive privacy measure. However, it shouldn’t be your only line of defense. Experts recommend integrating this with alarms, surveillance, secure locks, and neighborhood watch efforts. As digital threats grow, the best protection is layered.
Blurring might not make your home invisible—but in an age where data is everywhere, every bit of concealment helps. Just be sure to weigh visibility against vulnerability—because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.