Google has admitted that their StreetView vehicles captured WiFi network data including the SSID and MAC address that identify a particular router.
Google has admitted that it has been “mistakenly” collecting payload data from open WiFi networks as its Street View cars drove around taking pictures. The company said that it never used any information about who was using those networks and what sites they were visiting, but the company has nonetheless decided to completely stop collecting WiFi data from its Street View cars.
Google put up a blog post last month detailing exactly what kind of data its Street View cars collected in response to an inquiry from German lawmakers. At the time, Google said that it collects SSID information as well as the MAC addresses of WiFi routers it encounters along the Street View route. This is for use in Google’s location-based services, like Skyhook Wireless’ services that are widely used on mobile devices without GPS.
In response, Google said it has stopped the process of collection.
Google has asked a third party to review what was collected and confirm that it was deleted. It also plans to review its procedures to ensure something similar doesn’t happen in the future. The company is turning this whole scenario into a lesson: “This incident highlights just how publicly accessible open, non-password-protected WiFi networks are today.”
Indeed, it’s certainly surprising to see that this data was collected after Google confidently stated that it wasn’t. At the same time, it’s oversights like these that provide ammunition for privacy advocates and critics of Google’s perceived lack of respect for privacy. It’s also a reminder that we truly never know what kind of data is being collected, even when the company in question has the best of intentions.
