Ariel Castro's House Blurred Out on Google Street View

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By Fran Berkman2013-08-06 17:21:16 -0400

The house in which Ariel Castro kidnapped three women and held them against their will for more than a decade is scheduled to be demolished this week, but Google has already wiped it off the map.

Castro's Cleveland residence at 2207 Seymour Ave. has been blurred out on Google Street View, much like how an obscene or pornographic image would appear on network TV.

See also: Women Kidnapped in Cleveland Thank Supporters in YouTube Video

A Google spokesperson declined to comment directly, but referred us to the company's policy on privacy and security in regards to Street View and information on how users can report an "objectionable" image.

Google states that it promptly reviews all reported images. The privacy and security page provides the following description:

In addition to the automatic blurring of faces and license plates, we will blur the entire car, house, or person when a user makes this request for additional blurring. Users can also request the removal of images that feature inappropriate content (for example: nudity or violence).

The Cuyahoga Land Bank, which aims to restore property to "productive use," purchased Castro's house last week. It will likely be demolished on Wednesday, the Plain Dealer reports.

Castro pleaded guilty last week to 937 counts, including kidnapping, rape and murder. A judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole and an additional 1,000 years.

Image: Google

Topics: Dev & Design, street view, kidnapping, U.S., US & World