Google will extend its Street View mapping service into Germany by the end of the year.

But German data protection officials say they are surprised by the fast-approaching deadline. Residents have to act quickly if they object to their homes appearing on the service.

Peter Schaar, German Data Proection Commissioner, said, "I am happy Google finally makes it possible for people to decide to have their homes shown on Street View. At the same time, for us data protection commissioners, the announcement to set off the tool in just a few days came as a surprise. So we don't know yet exactly what will happen."

Street View takes 360-degree photographs from cameras attached to Google-owned vehicles, and will be available in 20 German cities by the end of the year.

Starting next week, Google will kick off a one-month period, where Germans will have the option to opt-out of having their homes appear on Street View. Those who don't want their place of residence to appear have until September 15th to inform Google via its German website.