Google were not snooping say ICO

The UK's Information Commissioner Office (ICO) has ruled that Google did not grab "significant" personal details when it scooped up data from unsecured wi-fi networks.


The information was gathered when they were logging wi-fi spots to help with location based services.
The ICO said in a statement: "On the basis of the samples we saw, we are satisfied so far that it is unlikely that Google will have captured significant amounts of personal data."
It added: "There is also no evidence - as yet - that the data captured by Google has caused or could cause any individual detriment."


The ICO said it would closely monitor other global investigations. Which is probably wish considering Google is still under investigation in the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Australia and the US.

StreetView: The American Conspiracy Theory

Street View is at it again, as the popular Google project is now being accused of collecting personal information of members of Congress, including some involved in national security issues.



The accusation was made by leading advocacy group, Consumer Watchdog. They want Congress to hold hearings into what data Google's Street View actually possesses. They go further in launching a Conspiracy Theory about Google’s intentions:

"We think the Google Wi-Spy effort is one of the biggest wire tapping scandals in US history," John Simpson of Consumer Watchdog

Google has admitted that the problems started in 2006 and that it may have mistakenly collected information, transmitted over unsecured wireless networks, as its cars filmed locations for mapping purposes. However the issue only came to light when German authorities asked to audit the data.


Some of the material that could be captured includes parts of an email, text, photograph, or even the website someone might be viewing.

Google Street View in the hot seat again

Google’s highly contentious “street view” is under scrutiny again, this time in Australia as police have been ordered to investigate Google for possible breach of privacy.

The accusation is that Google has gathered personal data from some unencrypted wi-fi services. An accusation that Google has admitted and apologised for, but as a result of public complaints Attorney General Robert McClelland has asked the police to probe the internet giant.

Australian law prohibits people from accessing electronic communications for unauthorised purposes. As such the recommendation from the Attorney General is that the police should investigate possible criminal breaches of the telecommunications privacy laws.

Google have been quite outspoken in recent times about Australia’s plans from internet filtering. They claim that plans to block illegal internet material will slow user speeds and inadvertently block legitimate content.

Google has said that it will co-operate with a police investigation.