In recent months, a nostalgic trend known as "time travel" on Google Maps has captured the imagination of many in Vietnam, allowing users to explore historical images of their old homes, neighborhoods, and familiar streets. By leveraging Google Street View's feature that lets users slide back through time to view past panoramic images, people have been revisiting memories and reconnecting with their personal histories. Yet, this seemingly harmless trip down memory lane has stirred significant concerns about privacy, data security, and even criminal exploitation.
The phenomenon exploded across social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook starting in mid-2025, with users sharing videos and screenshots of places from years past. These posts often evoke deep feelings of nostalgia and emotional connections, sometimes even showing glimpses of deceased relatives or long-gone landmarks. However, experts warn that beneath the sentimental surface lies a complex web of risks.
Google Street View, launched in 2007, fundamentally changed how we explore the world virtually by sending camera-equipped vehicles to capture 360-degree images of streets worldwide. Despite its popularity and utility, the service has faced relentless scrutiny over privacy issues since its inception. Google’s cars, while capturing public spaces, have sometimes inadvertently exposed sensitive personal information. Although Google commits to blurring faces and license plates, the process is not foolproof. As a result, images have occasionally revealed individuals engaged in private activities, private residences, gardens, or identifiable license plates without consent.
Privacy concerns escalated dramatically in 2010 when Google admitted that its Street View cars had collected data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks during their drives. This data included MAC addresses, network names (SSIDs), and even unencrypted data packets. The revelation sparked investigations in at least a dozen countries. Germany demanded Google seek permission before photographing streets and allowed residents to request blurring of their homes. Canada’s Privacy Commissioner concluded that Google violated privacy laws and ordered deletion of the data. In the United States, Google faced a $7 million fine in 2013, and in Australia, the company agreed to pay 60 million AUD in 2022 over similar issues.
These controversies prompted Google to enhance its privacy safeguards. The company improved its blurring technology and made it easier for users to request the obscuring of sensitive images, such as homes or vehicles. Google also publicly committed to no longer collecting unsecured Wi-Fi data. Despite these improvements, experts caution that the technology and policies are not infallible, and personal information can still slip through.
In Vietnam, the "time travel" trend has brought these issues into sharp focus. Users have discovered images of themselves or family members in private moments—like Ms. Thu Thuy from Ho Chi Minh City, who found a picture of herself wearing pajamas while hanging laundry in her yard on Google Maps. She expressed unease that such images could be stumbled upon by strangers and potentially shared online for ridicule or worse.
Security specialists warn that the broad sharing of images showing private homes, license plates, addresses, and even family members or pets can inadvertently supply criminals with a trove of sensitive information. Cybercriminals might exploit Street View images to scout properties, identify entry and exit points, locate security cameras, or spot valuable assets. Old photos can reveal vulnerabilities, such as periods before security systems were installed, offering criminals a blueprint for intrusion.
Beyond theft, the trend has opened avenues for more sinister crimes. Reports have surfaced of "sextortion" scams where attackers send threatening emails containing Street View images of victims’ homes or workplaces, claiming to have monitored them and demanding ransoms in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Some scammers falsely assert they have installed spyware on victims’ devices and threaten to expose sensitive information if demands are not met.
Experts emphasize the importance of vigilance. Users are urged to regularly check their personal locations on Google Street View and promptly use the "Report a problem" feature to request blurring or removal of any sensitive images. When sharing photos or videos on social media, especially those involving homes or frequented places, it’s crucial to disable geotagging and carefully consider the privacy implications.
Moreover, users should only download the official Google Maps and Street View applications from trusted sources like Google Play or the Apple App Store to avoid malware risks. Suspicious emails or messages containing Street View images should be treated with caution, and users should never transfer money or share personal data with unknown parties.
Google Maps and Street View remain powerful tools for exploration and memory preservation, but their misuse highlights the fragile balance between technological convenience and privacy protection. As the "time travel" trend continues to captivate users, raising awareness about data privacy and encouraging responsible use is more vital than ever.
Ultimately, while revisiting the past through Google Maps can be a heartwarming experience, users must stay alert to the potential shadows lurking behind these digital windows to history.
