Technology

Experts Warn: Blurring Your Home on Google Maps Could Make You a Target for Burglars!

2025-07-01

Author: Kai

In today's high-tech world, homeowners are constantly searching for new ways to safeguard their properties. From advanced locks to cutting-edge security cameras, the lengths people go to protect their homes are astonishing.

The Shifting Stance on Blurring Your Home

Recently, a security advisor advocated for blurring one's home on Google Maps, suggesting it as a deterrent for savvy burglars who scour the tool for potential targets. But in a surprising twist, experts are reversing this advice, warning that this seemingly smart tactic could actually increase the risk of a burglary.

Joseph Steinberg, a cybersecurity expert, asserts that blurring your home can backfire, drawing even more attention from potential thieves. He states, 'If you blur your house, that becomes intriguing to a criminal, almost like a red flag.'

The Streisand Effect in Crime?

Steinberg likens this reaction to the 'Streisand Effect,' named after Barbra Streisand's infamous attempt to hide her home’s location, only to attract even more attention. In the same vein, obscuring your residence on Google Maps may signal to criminals that there’s something valuable worth protecting.

Are You Really That Interesting?

Several affluent neighborhoods in the UK have already adopted this strategy, with high-end areas like Kensington and Mayfair showing blurred homes. Yet, Steinberg cautions that most individuals aren’t on a criminal's radar unless they are notably high-profile. He insists, 'Burglaries are largely opportunistic—criminals aren't scouting your home three states away.'

The Real Motivations Behind Burglaries

According to the City of London Police, many burglaries are not meticulously planned; rather, they happen due to opportunity. Thieves often cruise neighborhoods looking for open doors, vulnerable windows, or discarded packaging from luxe purchases left outside.

The Flaws in Blurring Your Home

Moreover, Google’s own blurring process isn’t foolproof. Users have reported that even after requesting to blur their homes, they remain visible from certain angles—or worse, the blurring is permanent, a decision many regret after moving away. One Reddit user lamented, 'My street has been blurred for 16 years, long after I moved out!'

How to Blur Your Home if You Still Insist

If you decide to proceed with blurring your address, you can do so easily. Just locate your home on Google Maps, pull up the Street View image, and click 'Report a problem' to submit your request. However, heed the advice of experts—by blurring your home, you might just be inviting unwanted attention.