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38 US states investigate Google over Street View
THE MAJORITY of states in the US have joined the rest of the world in demanding answers about Google's wireless network snooping by its Street View software.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said that 38 US states and the District of Columbia have joined in a multi-state investigation of Google's WiFi data collection. In a letter to Google he has asked the company with the "don't be evil" philosophy whether it tested the Street View software before use.
He believes that testing should have revealed that unauthorised data was going to be collected, and Google has already acknowledged that this has happened, with data such as emails, passwords and web browsing history collected.
Blumenthal said, "We are asking Google to identify specific individuals responsible for the snooping code and how Google was unaware that this code allowed the Street View cars to collect data broadcast over WiFi networks."
"Information we are awaiting includes how the spy software was included in Google's Street View network and specific locations where unauthorised data collection occurred."
He warned Google, "We will take all appropriate steps - including potential legal action if warranted - to obtain complete, comprehensive answers."
Google has had a pretty big headache over the issue, with countries such as Germany and Australia publicly reacting against the company, while pretty much any country with privacy laws has had reason to object.
But this could be a bigger deal with an investigation in Google's home country, with individual states such as New York and Washington already signed up.
Blumenthal added, "Google must come completely clean, fully explaining how this invasion of personal privacy happened and why."
"Consumers have a right to expect that data transmitted over personal and business wireless networks remains confidential. Our multistate investigation will determine whether laws were broken and whether legislation is necessary to prevent future privacy breaches." µ
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"Consumers have a right to expect that data transmitted over personal and business wireless networks remains confidential."
Bull. If the networks were not secured then there should be NO expectation of privacy. Just because it was Google doesn't mean that Jonny Hacker next door didn't get the same confidential data. Yes, Google should answer for the bad code, but it should not be on the hook for everyone else's lack of common sense.
I like to oogle. Wireless schmireless I like to digress.
Encryption highly overrated, me no smart enough to turn on THAT feature. Me get good lawyer, SUE to protect my right to stupidy.
HeckVonDreshDork
Americans don't care to be spied on. It was one of the charges we laid against the inherited, inbred, insane, chinless wonders of England, of keeping spies and informers among us. So we kicked those tyrants and their spies out.
But this is more squishy. It may be that some of this is driven by at least response to public anger at being spied on. But it's more likely just a narrow grab for headlines and money. However, the more go_ogle is revealed to be a SPY AGENCY with ties to NSA. the more anger will grow.
Google is becoming what MS would have dream of back in its Big Bad Days (tm) ... slap em down now!
Also say what you will but MS never did something as illegal and intrusive as this.
What is all the fuss about?