UK's WiFi surveillance data maintained by Google continues to exist
New Twist in Google's StreetView WiFi Data Collection: ICO Reopens Investigation
A new development has emerged in the long-standing issue of Google's StreetView WiFi data collection, as the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has announced the reopening of its investigation. This decision comes in response to a recent revelation that Google still has some data collected from UK home WiFi networks by its StreetView cars, despite earlier claims that all the data had been deleted.
According to reports, the data collection was the work of a single rogue engineer, and no other Google employees besides him were aware of the WiFi snooping. However, a recent report from the US Federal Communications Commission suggested that many Google employees may have been aware of the snooping functionality.
The initial report of Google's payload data collection was made in 2010, and after the ICO's first investigation in November of that year, Google claimed that it had deleted the payload data relating to UK citizens. But it is now revealed that a small portion of the data is still in Google's possession.
The data includes emails, passwords, and Internet history details of UK residents. Google discovered the data during an internal review of how it handled disks containing the payload data. The company has now reiterated that all the data had been deleted, but has admitted that it was unaware of the existence of the remaining data.
Google wants to delete the data and is awaiting the ICO's instructions. The ICO has asked Google to keep the data secure until it has conducted an investigation. In a letter to the ICO today, Google stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and is taking the matter very seriously.
This new revelation has prompted the ICO to reopen its investigation into Google's StreetView WiFi data collection. The ICO is the UK's independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
Despite the FCC's report, Google maintains that no other employees besides the rogue engineer were aware of the WiFi snooping. However, the ICO's investigation will aim to clarify the extent of knowledge within Google about the data collection and whether any further action is required.
The ICO's reopening of the investigation is a significant development in the long-standing controversy surrounding Google's StreetView WiFi data collection. As the investigation unfolds, more details are likely to emerge about the data that Google still has in its possession and the company's handling of the issue.
