Internet resources: Microsoft brings its mapping 3D-service to Europe

Microsoft is bringing its “Streetside” - Google Street View rival - to Europe. The new service is said to first come to the UK, and then spread to Europe. The company says that in May cars fitted with cameras will start mapping London streets.

As for today, Microsoft’s 3D mapping service is already available in 56 US towns and cities. Microsoft has been keen to avoid the privacy concerns that dogged Google’s service StreetView, but said that it does plan to gather WiFi data.

Microsoft’s ultimate aim was to combine Streetside with location-based services. To do that, it needed to collect WiFi data, such as the unique number that identifies the location of a hotspot, the signal strength and the type of wireless signal being used. That information would be used to help locate users.

Google ran into trouble with privacy groups while creating Streetview after it emerged the company intercepted and stored private information from some hotspots. Earlier Google agreed to blur faces and vehicle number plates. Microsoft is dwelling upon this issue, however privacy of their customers is the company’s top priority.

Streetside service will go live on Microsoft’s desktop and mobile platforms. What is more, the company promises to instantly launch a series of extra services, developed in cooperation with Groupon, Foursquare and others.