Why has the Google Earth software been criticized or a bit controversial?

Answer 1

Google Earth has been criticized for the same reason it is so popular which is having the ability to see any place on Earth in high resolution satellite, aerial, and ground-based imagery. Having such imagery and photographs in clear detail showing cars (color, make and models) and people opens up a hornet's nest of privacy issues. If a person is photographed then they can opt-out, assuming they can find themselves in a given photo often months after it was taken. There is no good way to know if you've been photographed.

People caught in comprising acts ranging from two lovers kissing in the park to others committing crimes have been captured for all to see in Google's Street View photographs. There are also national security issues for such up-to-date detailed imagery of military sites, power stations, and the like.

Fortunately Google has taken on itself the task of blurring faces and licenses plates from all Street View photographs to protect personal privacy. In other words, Google does its due diligence to prevent the individual or the vehicle from being identified, but if the filtering and blurring techniques missed something then it's up to the individual to report back to Google.