According to the BBC, Google's plans to launch Street View in the UK could be blocked after being referred to the Information Commissioner. UK rights group Privacy International claims that Google's mapping tool breaks data protection laws as it uses images of people's faces for commercial gain without their consent.

Street View, a service which matches photos to locations on Google Maps, is already available in the US and there have been reports that images of London are being compiled this week. Street View has already run into trouble over privacy issues in the US.

Google has started trialling face blurring technology in the US after complaints over invasion of privacy. Privacy International has voiced its concern over Street View's arrival in the UK calling for more transparency from Google.