Argentina Court Orders Google to Pay for Privacy Violation

An appeals court in Argentina has mandated Google to pay approximately $12,500 to a man who was photographed naked by a Google Street View car, despite being behind a tall wall measuring 6 feet 6 inches. This ruling came earlier this month and was initially reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The incident took place in 2017 when the man, a police officer, was caught in his garden in Bragado, located west of Buenos Aires. The image clearly displayed his home address, which remained online for a period before being removed.

Originally, he filed a lawsuit against Google Argentina in 2019, stating that the exposure caused him significant embarrassment among his neighbors and co-workers. Although a lower court dismissed his case, suggesting that he was at fault for being outside inappropriately dressed, the appeal panel overturned this in July 2025.

“This isn’t just about someone being seen in a public place,” the court pointed out. “He was within the confines of his home, behind a fence that is taller than average. The invasion of his privacy is unmistakable.” As a result, the judge awarded him around £9,300, or USD 12,500, emphasizing that “no one wishes to be exposed to the world in such a vulnerable state.”

Interestingly, an edited version of the image was later published, though it’s unclear whether Google adjusted the photo or if the individual had it modified prior to the lawsuit.

Google has yet to respond to inquiries about this incident, and it remains uncertain if the company will appeal the decision. Argentina’s constitution and Privacy Act provide robust protections for individual dignity, even if someone is partially visible from a public area.

The court referenced Google’s standard practice of blurring faces and license plates in their images, noting that this should apply to naked bodies as well. They concluded that the photo should have been flagged for inappropriate content.

This ruling could pave the way for more privacy-related lawsuits, especially in Latin America.