ABOUT ME

Hi everyone,

I'm ZX StreetView, an independent 360° content creator currently based in Germany. Since starting this project in 2022, I’ve cycled over 3,000 km and uploaded more than 30 million Street View images to Google Maps.

How It All Started

The idea began shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions started to lift and people could finally explore the world again. Before visiting new cities, I often relied on Street View to get a sense of the place—whether it was to find a bus stop, plan a walking route, or simply understand the layout of a neighborhood.

But in Germany, I noticed something odd: Street View coverage was extremely limited. While most European countries had extensive and up-to-date imagery, Germany’s data was outdated and available only in a few major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Mannheim—mostly captured around 2008–2010.

This gap was largely due to strong public opposition to Google Street View at the time, leading to widespread requests for property blurring. The resulting legal and logistical burden led Google to halt updates in the country for over a decade.

The Situation Today

In 2023, Google officially resumed Street View updates in Germany, using both car-mounted cameras and improved privacy measures. However, the coverage is still far from complete.

Many smaller streets, walkways, bike paths, and pedestrian-only zones remain uncovered—especially in towns and less populated regions. That’s where my work comes in.

What I Do

My mission is to help fill in the gaps and expand Street View to areas not accessible to Google’s cars. I focus on:

City centers and tourist spots – areas people often research before visiting
Bicycle and pedestrian paths – where cars can't go
Scenic routes and lesser-known places – to provide a more complete view of the world

I hope my contributions not only help individuals plan their trips but also support local businesses and tourism through better visibility.

Why Street View Matters

Have you ever had any of these thoughts?

“I'm visiting a new city—what does the area around the station or hotel look like?”
“I’m planning a cycling trip—is the route safe for my kids?”
“I miss the town I grew up in.”
“I can't travel right now, but I want to see the world.”
“Where exactly is that shop, and how’s the parking situation?”

Street View helps people explore, prepare, reminisce, and dream—all from their screen.

Why I Stay Anonymous

While photography in public spaces is legally permitted in Germany, some people remain skeptical about Street View. I've unfortunately received threats of legal action, even when following privacy guidelines—such as avoiding close-ups and blurring faces or license plates.

To protect myself and minimize conflict, I choose to keep my identity anonymous. I typically record when the streets are quieter and do my best to keep people unrecognizable in my uploads.

Collaboration & Support

If you’re interested in collaborating, sponsoring, or suggesting a new location, I’d love to hear from you. Visit the Contact page to leave a message.

You can also support my work via PayPal or through affiliate links on the Donate and Equipment pages.

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