Apple has started driving vehicles around the world to collect data which will be used to improve Apple Maps - following Google's tactic with its own Street View cars. Some of this data will be published in future Apple Maps updates, according to Apple.

We are committed to protecting your privacy while collecting this data. For example, we will blur faces and license plates on collected images prior to publication. If you have comments or questions about this process, please contact us.

If you are living in Ireland, Eastern England, London, West Midlands but also in the U.S.A., you may see Apple's vehicles taking panoramic pictures of the streets in your area very soon, starting from this month.

Transparency appears to be Apple's aim here, so the company says that it would blur faces and license plates on collected images prior to publication.

Obviously, Apple isn't just mapping directions, but that it's also building a Street View service of its very own.