Cruising down lanes and winding through backstreets, Google Street View cars have become ubiquitous cartographers, stitching together a virtual replica of our planet. Equipped with an arsenal of high-resolution cameras, these vehicles tirelessly document the world in 360-degree panoramas.

The sheer amount of data they collect is staggering enough to virtually circle the Earth over 400 times. This constant presence on our roads means that it’s no longer a surprise to come across a Google Street View car. However, a recent incident in Greece involving one of these vehicles has shed light on an unexpected gap in Google’s operations.

This discovery raises the question of how such a tech giant could overlook such a seemingly basic requirement as good car insurance.

Driving on Greek roads can be risky due to the high number of uninsured vehicles. It is estimated that more than half a million cars drive on the highways without mandatory insurance, raising concerns about safety and financial responsibility in case of accidents.

Compounding the problem, many of these uninsured vehicles likely haven’t passed the required inspection, although the exact number remains unclear. Lawmakers have proposed solutions, including a centralized digital system to verify both insurance and inspection status. However, these regulations have yet to be implemented.

It’s important to note that Google’s Street View data collection sometimes involves contractors, who are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are compliant. Google itself may also hire individual drivers for new regions. While anyone can contribute Street View imagery with a backpack camera, everyone undergoes training to ensure high-quality uploads.