How to Submit a Home Blurring Request Through the BlackCloak App

Hello. Today, I’m going to show you how to use the home blurring feature within the BlackCloak mobile application.

Cybercriminals may leverage Google Street View to obtain up-close details about your home to conduct personalized social engineering attacks. Removing this detailed view from Google reduces your digital footprint, making it harder for cybercriminals to conduct these types of scams.

Fortunately, the BlackCloak mobile application provides a feature that allows you to submit a request to Google to have your home address blurred. After which, your home would not be visible should someone attempt to view it.

To access this feature, go to the Home tile on the front of your BlackCloak mobile application.

Under the address you wish to blur, click Home Image Blurring.

Next, click the Status field.

Before you continue, you will see a warning that states that the home blurring is irreversible. If the request is approved, you will not be able to restore the home image. If you still wish to proceed, click Continue.

You will now be directed to a screen that says the Home Image Blurring has started. Click Okay.

You will be directed to a screen that will show the progress of the request. You can check this screen periodically to track the current status of your latest request. Once it’s completed, your screen will look like this.

There are a couple of important elements of this feature to remember.

First, the request will not be fulfilled immediately. Google will have to approve the request. After BlackCloak receives word of approval, the screen will be updated to reflect a completed request. You will also receive a push notification when Google informs BlackCloak whether the image blurring request was either approved or rejected.

Second, BlackCloak will work with Google to resolve questions arising from a request. However, Google may still periodically reject a home blurring request. Examples include requests to blur an apartment or condominium complex.

You can also start the home blurring process immediately when you add a new home to the BlackCloak mobile application.

At the bottom of the screen where you add your address, you can see the option to blur your home.

Lastly, home blurring is only available for Google Maps Street View. We will be adding support for other services at a later date.

If you have any questions about this feature, please contact the BlackCloak Concierge team through the Concierge tab. You can either email us, or schedule an appointment with one of our team members right through the app.