What is Google Trying to Hide in Downtown Cedar Rapids? [PHOTOS]

I was looking up photos of the Alliant Energy PowerHouse on Google's awesome Street View service when I noticed something a bit unusual on the corner of 1st Ave and 3rd Street... A blurred-out object. I was not zoomed in terribly close so, naturally, I zoomed in. What I found was Google had blurred something out on the side of the road. A lewd gesture by a pedestrian? No. A car accident? Nope. So, then what?

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Google blurs Cedar Rapids art

Google has a policy, they will blur people's faces and vehicle license plates. It's easier than tracking everyone down for permission. Sometimes the blurring algorithm gets a bit... wonky. They do it here in Cedar Rapids, and everywhere else in the U.S. too. As a result, sometimes this happens:

You'll notice the sculpture's female face is completely blurred out! The sculpture identified as "Untitled statue" on this blog page, is most certainly blurred. Here, take a closer look:

With Google's tighter restrictions, art must truly be appreciated up close and personal. If you're a fan of seeing pictures of statues and sculptures rather than going to see it in person, Google's street view is still at least passable, if that statue doesn't have a face. That is where the line is drawn.

You will NOT see a face. So sayeth Google. Unless you find the blur adds to the artistic value, that is. Then you're in luck. Enjoy!