Google Removes Gruesome Maps Image
In a change of heart, Google Tuesday announced it will remove an image of a dead body from Google Maps. But it's not just any body, it's a 14-year-old boy.Google has agreed to remove that image of a teen in California. But it didn't come with some push from the teen's family, who said they don't want to relive that day over and over again, and they don't want others to see it either.Zoom in on Google Maps to a pair of railroad tracks that run through Richmond and you'll see a police car, several officers and a body lying on the ground uncovered. It's believed to be 14-year-old Kevin Barrera, who was found shot to death in 2009.His father, Jose Barrera, said he learned about this disturbing online image a few days ago.When I see this images, it's like that happened yesterday really fresh, you know. And that bring me back to, you know, a lot of memories, Barrera said.His son's killer was never caught. Frustrating enough for the family, there was another challenging, trying to get the Internet search engine to do what Barrera said was the right thing.What's the point? To show those pictures to the person, to the people, you know, pictures of my dead son. This is really painful for the whole family, Barrera added.One technology expert said despite the gruesome scene, he didn't think Google would pull the image.When they remove it for one person, for one thing then how do they not do it for others? So they found it easier just to say no, said Rob Enderle, technology analyst.Barrera said he wouldn't take no for an answer. He said he would lodge a formal complaint and possibly reach out to lawmakers for help.He's on a mission to honor his son's memory.To catch the guys who committed the murder, and remove those pictures, added Barrera.Google said replacing the image of Kevin Barrera could take up to eight days. In the past, Google said it hadn't removed images by request because they'd have to honor everyone's request. This was the exception.