FTC Closes Google Street View Probe
Looks like Google’s “no harm, no foul” explanation for the inadvertent collection of user data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks by its Street View cars was good enough for the Federal Trade Commission. The agency today closed its inquiry into the mapping service, saying the improvements Google has made to its internal privacy practices have alleviated its concerns for consumer safety.
“…We note that Google has recently announced improvements to its internal processes to address some of the concerns raised above, including appointing a director of privacy for engineering and product management; adding core privacy training for key employees; and incorporating a formal privacy review process into the design phases of new initiatives,” David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a letter to Google’s attorney. “The company also publicly stated its intention to delete the inadvertently collected payload data as soon as possible. Further, Google has made assurances to the FTC that the company has not used and will not use any of the payload data collected in any Google product or service, now or in the future. This assurance is critical to mitigate the potential harm to consumers from the collection of payload data. Because of these commitments, we are ending our inquiry into this matter at this time.”
Looks like Google won’t face any fines for the incident in the U.S., though it’s still subject to investigations abroad.
PREVIOUSLY
- Google CEO Apologizes for Street View Schmidtstorm
- Google CEO’s Advice to the Street-View Shy: The Video
- Schmidt: Don’t Like Google Street View Photographing Your House? Then Move.
- Mr. Schmidt, There’s an Inspector Lestrade on Line One
- State AGs to Probe Google’s “Deeply Disturbing Invasion” of Wi-Fi Data
- No Harm, Big Foul: Google Intercepted Passwords and Email Extracts
- Germany Questions Google’s Data “Mistake”
- Google Street View Cars Collected Wi-Fi User Data for Three Years
