Google’s Wi-Fi Case in the News Again
July 30, 2010Google has been in trouble ever since Wi-Fi data collection was ruled a breach of data protection laws. Google is now being urged to hand over the engineers working on the project. These engineers are the ones supposedly responsible for creating the code that collected information from unsecured wireless connections. The issue with Google came to the forefront when a German data protection authority did an audit of the wireless data collected regarding Street View Cars and Real Time Photograph capture meant to help Google Maps.
The authority stated the programme collected SSID information, MAC addresses, and even email or web page content being viewed. The Attorney for Connecticut stated Google needs to be completely clean regarding their devolution of information. They need to explain how the personal privacy of individuals was breached so that the entire situation can be investigated thoroughly.
For many it is clear that Google breached data protection laws, but the question is really whether they will be fined for the incident. The attorneys involved in the Google case are looking for all data to be revealed including the trial of the code before it was used in the Street Cars View.
Google has been asked to examine the individuals involved in creating the code and to release those names to the members of the case that require it. The case is also asking how Google could have remained unaware of the issue even after the code was launched. In the end the case will probably end up in court to decide what legal action should be taken and what fines need to be paid. Google has apologised for their mistake, but states they did not intend on breaking privacy laws but to provide better information regarding Google Maps and its programmes.
Posted by Jeremy Ward.
