By Tan Weizhen

LAST week, you may have spotted cars jetting around town with four cameras mounted on the roof and the word 'Google' emblazoned on the side.

But they are not a marketing ploy hatched by the Internet powerhouse. Instead, the vehicles are part of a project to put Singapore on the virtual map.

The cars are taking pictures of landmarks, hotels and stores for Google Street View, a three-dimensional application that combines thousands of photos to create a panoramic view of a city.

Is Big Brother getting too close?

AS GOOGLE Street View catches hold in countries across the world, some people say Big Brother is getting a little too close for comfort.

In April, an American couple sued Google after it posted images of their Pittsburgh house on the 3D mapping program. They claimed the company entered their property without permission, violating their privacy.

Google dismissed the claims, saying 'the view of a home from the driveway that can be seen by any visitor, delivery person or telephone repairman is not private'.

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