On Thursday, Google Street View cars were seen driving around Staten Island, documenting the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to be used to update Google maps. The New York Post first reported the car's presence, and some residents are not one bit happy with Google taking pictures of their destroyed homes to post online.

A Google spokesperson is trying to spin it in a better light by saying they hope that the updated maps will help with the on-going recovery efforts. "We hope this accurate, updated imagery that will soon be available in Google Maps will help people around the world better understand the extent of the damage and the importance of coming together as a community to aid in the recovery efforts."

Google has previously used its extraordinary mapping ability in the wake of disasters to help with recovery efforts, but like the map of gun permit applicants, some people feel some stuff shouldn't be posted online for all to view, even though it is public information. What do you think of Google updating and publishing this data? Is it appropriate?