The launch of an internet service providing free, high resolution images of Queensland homes and businesses has raised security and privacy worries.

Search engine company Google launched its new Street View technology yesterday, enabling users to view and navigate 360 degree street-level imagery of Australia's cities, towns and regional areas.

Lake Eden - North Lakes 

Google has touted the technology as allowing users to make travel plans, arrange meeting points and to help house hunters save time by checking out whether they liked the look of a street before they agreed to inspect a house.

But critics say the technology could seriously invade people's privacy or help stalkers and prospective robbers.

Critics also claim Street View is plagued with flaws, displaying houses with wildly inaccurate addresses and failing to show recent changes and renovations.

Natalie McKenzie from Tarragindi, who has two young daughters, said she found out her home could be seen on Street View only yesterday morning when she heard about the technology on the radio.

"I think if they're taking photos of your home they should ask for permission," she said. "If a single mum was estranged from her husband there would be an issue there. I've got a girlfriend who wouldn't want her husband to see where she's living."

Google bowed to pressure from civil libertarians months before its Street View site went live, agreeing not to show faces or number plates.

Spokesman Robert Shilkin said members of the public with privacy or security concerns could report the offending image for alteration.

But critics complain the curbs do not go far enough.

Dr Roger Clarke, chair of the Australian Privacy Foundation, said yesterday the agency had examined the new Google feature in detail and had extensive discussions with Google management.

"This is a new service that will be attractive to quite a few people and can have business benefits too - so it's fun and useful," Dr Clarke said.

"But like any new technology or initiative, it can create some risks for people and those risks need to be managed."

Dr Clarke said so far it appeared the Street View images were not too detailed, but the foundation would prefer to see a clear privacy policy statement on the website with Google's assurances to the Australian public.