And the mess gets messier. A class action lawsuit filed against Google in Oregon has now been enriched with the allegation that Google
willfully collected personal data with its Street View cars, rather than doing so accidentally, as it
claims. It's a bold accusation, whose primary basis is a patent application, filed by Google in November 2008, for a "computer-implemented method of estimating the location of a wireless device." A subsidiary claim references the "obtaining [of] one or more packets of data transmitted" from one wireless device to another to help estimate accuracy of location results. That's the supposedly damning verbiage that shows Google intentionally created WiFi-snooping software, and it's also what's being relied on to show that Mountain View couldn't have been ignorant of the data collection going on. Yes, it's quite a stretch, but that's what lawyers are for: mental gymnastics.
Over in Europe, Google is doing its best to placate local regulators, some of whom are contemplating criminal charges against the multinational company, by agreeing to hand over all data that was collected by its vehicles. France, Germany and Spain will be first to peruse the info, though presumably there'll be an open door to other nosy governments as well. Doesn't that strike you as weird -- having your private data protected by letting a bunch more people look at it?
posted June 4th 2010 7:33AM
Dunno where that photo came from, but it's well chosen. The Tonga is one of the greatest bars on the planet, and it's somewhat tricky to find, as you've got to navigate the basement of the San Fran Fairmont with little direction.
“It's a bold accusation, whose primary basis is a patent application, filed by Google in November 2008, for a "computer-implemented method of estimating the location of a wireless device." A subsidiary claim references the "obtaining [of] one or more packets of data transmitted" from one wireless device to another to help estimate accuracy of location results. That's the supposedly damning verbiage that shows Google intentionally created WiFi-snooping software”
In my opinion, whoever considers that “damning evidence” has no clue. Computers are collecting WiFi data packets all the time; that's why we secure the things! The trick is whether the computer _saves_ said data, which that patent application makes no mention of. The process would certainly not benefit from it, anyway.
And the bottom line: If you don't want anything to see your data, stop screaming it at 2.4 GHz!
What? These people were transmitting data from their WiFi publically!!! What did Google do wrong? That is like getting worried because you hang a flag outside your house and someone took notice!!!!
@SeeKo
How does one "mistakenly" collect private data from a secured network? Oh, you mean to tell me people still use WEP or (even worse) open Wi-Fi in this day and age? These kind of people are victims of their own stupidity. Besides, what personal information could possibly be collected from a radio signal when it is secured? Your home address? BFD. Any war driver already knows where your Wi-Fi is, and whether or not it is secure. Want to see what's up in your area? Download inSSIDer. It will show you anything in range and whether or not it is secured.
lol
cue: Inquisition V2.0
What private data? It cant be private data if it's openly broadcast on unsecured WiFi.
@mukatuna
Exactly!
No worse than picking up a $5 bill you found on the ground.
@mukatuna
The fact that your neigbour left his windows open does not give you the right to jump in through it!
Thanks, you guys, for creating the panic that Google's mapping of open WiFi connections is somehow demonic.
Now I surely can't look forward to a new feature on Google Maps showing me where the closest, free, open WiFi connection is.
And what a coincidence--it's all happening as AT&T and Verizon abolish unlimited wireless internet plans...
Is this just payback for us calling your b.s. on Global Warming?
Google = CIA
New meaning to war driving... across America!
In my view Google have done nothing wrong. They have provided a service that is used and loved by millions of people around the world. The geography teachers and students must use Google earth all the time. The everyday road users with Google drive have an amazing satnav experience. The so called invasion of privacy aspect to this court case is absurd. If these ninkin-pooks get their way then anyone with a camera taking photos of landmarks or family and friends outside where other people may be captured in the photo by accident can then prosecute the photographer. Dumb!!! We know lawyers create laws so they can guarantee they will never be out of work and charge extortionate rates but this time they have bitten off more than they can chew! The greedy conniving scumbags.
What the hell is it that everyone thinks google collected driving by their house?
This is just mindless idiocy.
What possible cause could they have for collecting this 'data'?
"oh no... google might have gotten a full 17% of the bits of that blog post with pictures of the original batmobile I was reading. My privacy has been compromised!"
There is enough actual crap going on in the world to be upset about.
Get a grip.
Prioritize!
@savagemike
Oh, so you have a fetish for comic book super hero's? hmm, if Google took all your money off you they could discredit you in court with this evidence. Who's going to believe someone who believes in super heros?
What I find interesting about all of this is just how easily Google's fleet was able to capture this information... it really makes you then wonder about all of the folks on Starbucks networks on a daily basis. The coffee chain just announced that their hotspots are "free to all, no sign in required", meaning that any sense of accountability that the Starbucks cards used to afford are gone. Logging in to a public hotspot without a personal VPN service leaves your personal information open and available to the world to see... if Google can do it by "accident", imagine what an actual data thief can do! Full disclosure - my post is a bit self-serving, as I wanted to introduce folks to just such a personal WiFi privacy service called Security Blanket. We are currently in our beta period leading to a full go-live later this fall, and in the meantime we are making free trial accounts available to protect your personal information. Go to www.getsecurityblanket.com/learnmore to sign up for the trial today!