Google Street View: Google Street View Expanding Again, this Time to Bhutan

Sergey BrinGoogle Street View: There is no denying the fact that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has spent a lot of time, money and resources on its Street View project. While this is extremely popular in the United States, the search engine giant remains committed to bringing the technology to other areas of the world. This time around, the lucky country is Bhutan.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is one of the hedge fund industry’s most popular stock picks, but it’s been displaced by a financial stock recently (see which one here). Google is held by billionaire investors Stephen Mandel, Ken Griffin, Ken Fisher, George Soros, and David Tepper.

Do you even know where Bhutan is located? Like many, your answer may be no. This is the 49th market that Google Street View has tapped into. However, many wouldn’t have thought the company would pick this small country located in cloze proximity to India.

Here is some more information on this addition, direct from The Next Web:

“Working with the support of the Ministry of Information and Communications of Bhutan, the Internet giant says its distinctive Street View cars have begun hitting the roads in capital city Thimpu today. Plans are afoot to expand coverage across the country “over the next few years” and, as ever, the project is likely to take a while to bear fruit.”

With this in mind, it is only natural for countries that are new to Street View to be concerned with privacy. After all, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has run into quite a few privacy issues in the not so distant past. Here is what Dasho Kinley Dorji, Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communications, had to say:

“The Internet has opened up many opportunities for everyone to learn about Bhutan, making it a valuable source of information for people around the world that are interested in visiting our country. We’re excited about bringing Google Maps with Street View to Bhutan because it will allow more people to discover Bhutan and help them plan their journeys to our country.”

In other words, the people of Bhutan are excited about Street View because it will bring great recognition to a country that often times goes unnoticed.

What are your thoughts on Google expanding its Street View service into a 49th country? Which country will make 50? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Check back here for more updates on Google Street View.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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