Have you ever wondered why you can’t find many places on Google Street View in Germany? Well, turns out, it’s all to do with the country’s political history!

German data protection and privacy rules are pioneering 

Given its turbulent past, it is no surprise that many people in Germany have a deep mistrust of governments, organisations and agencies when it comes to data protection and privacy. Having lived under two regimes - the Third Reich and the GDR - that placed the population under intense surveillance and fiercely cracked down on dissent, Germany considers privacy a hard-won freedom. 

This has led a tradition of strong data protection for German civilians, which has created a barrier to Google’s Street View Programme. Google has tried to launch Street View twice in the country, and failed both times due to public backlash. 

The video below explains more about why Google, one of the world’s largest companies, has not yet been able to make it with Street View in Germany.

Video: YouTube / Cheddar

What do you think of Germany's attitude towards privacy laws? Over the top or just about right? Let us know in the comments below!