F.C.C. Investigates Google Street View [NYT: Bits]
Last month, I wrote a post about the Federal Trade Commission closing its case on the information gathering tactics of Google Street View. Google had disclosed that it had been collecting data transmitted over unsecured wi-fi networks, including passwords, entire e-mails and other sensitive information through its Street View vehicles.
The FTC closed its case and Google reported they had ended all wi-fi data collection, so it appeared Google may be in the clear.
Not so fast.
On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it would conduct an investigation of Google’s practices to see if any laws were violated. The investigation was spurred on by a complaint filed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center on May 18, shortly after Google first disclosed that they had inadvertently collected data. The complaint alleges that the collections by Google constitute a violation of Section 705 of the Communications Act, as well as the federal Wiretap Act.
Google Street View first appeared in 2007 and has since expanded to provide 360 degree street views throughout the U.S. and in over 30 additional countries. Several European countries and state attorneys general in this country are also investigating Google’s practices.
The FTC closed their case because they were satisfied in Google’s assertions that privacy protections were being improved and none of the collected data would be used. While it's take a bit longer than the other authorities, the FCC is apparently seeking a more substantial answer.
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