Maximum PC readers don't need to be reminded why encrypting their wireless networks is important, but a recent slip up by the Google Street View team only serves to drive home the point. In a posting released on the European Public Policy Blog Google was forced to admit that in addition to collecting SSID and MAC address information about passing networks, payload information was also collected and archived. In Google's defense the only information that was acquired is data that was being transmitted over open Wi-Fi, but it only serves to fuel the fears, particularly in Europe that the Street View Cars are up to no good.
So how exactly did this happen? In a follow up post Google explained that "in 2006 an engineer working on an experimental WiFi project wrote a piece of code that sampled all categories of publicly broadcast WiFi data," Google's Senior VP, Engineering & Research Alan Eustace wrote. "A year later, when our mobile team started a project to collect basic WiFi network data like SSID information and MAC addresses using Google's Street View cars, they included that code in their software-although the project leaders did not want, and had no intention of using, payload data."
Google is consulting with a third party to help them confirm what was collected, and ensure it is properly deleted. You could argue that anyone operating an open hotspot deserves what they get, but at the same time it is important for Google to show the world it has at least a passing respect for our privacy given the sheer volume of personal information they seem to be privileged to.
Do you blame Google for the slip up?
Most of the time, Google’s nifty little Street View is nothing more than an interesting toy or a way to see landmarks along a road trip. Today, it became something else: a visual memory of one of the most damaging natural disasters in recent history. Google took it upon itself to take its cameras to the streets in the aftermath of Japan’s horrific earthquake and tsunami to show the world the true extent of the devastation, complete with before and after pictures to drive the point home.
