Google Says It Mistakenly Collected Data on Web Usage

Wall Street Journal ^ | 5-14-10 | Jessica E. Vascellaro

[STARWISE]

Google Inc. said an internal investigation has discovered that the roving vans the company uses to create its online mapping services were mistakenly collecting data about websites people were visiting over wireless networks.

The Internet giant said it would stop collecting Wi-Fi data from its StreetView vans, which workers drive to capture street images and to locate Wi-Fi networks. The company said it would dispose of the data it had accidentally collected.

*snip*

"It's now clear that we have been mistakenly collecting samples of payload data from open (i.e. non-password-protected) Wi-Fi networks, even though we never used that data in any Google products," wrote Mr. Eustace. "We are profoundly sorry for this error and are determined to learn all the lessons we can from our mistake."

[tutstar]

gnip

[ShadowAce]

[tutstar]

Question for the techies?

Google uses the Wi-Fi data to improve its location-based services. By having a database of Wi-Fi hot spots, Google can identify a mobile user's approximate location based on cell towers and Wi-Fi access points that are visible to their device.

Couldn't Google just ask companies where their towers are and obtain the information that way? I know I'm blonde but seems to me they could have gotten the information some other way.

[tutstar]

last question....I think .Why would they also need to determine a person’s location? They know the signal strengths and how far they will carry.

Sorry I didn’t put that in my last ping to you.

[DBrow]

"even though we never used that data in any Google products"

What about research projects, or marketing, Do No Evil Company?

[444Flyer]

This was no mistake. Is Google acting as part of Obama’s Stasi?

“Google’s CEO Gets an Official Seat at President Obama’s Table”

“The close ties between Google CEO Eric Schmidt and President Barack Obama are well-documented. Schmidt endorsed Obama’s Presidential campaign, and in the months since he has taken office, the leader of the world’s most popular search engine has also been a guest at The White House to discuss policy alongside some of the country’s top economists and financiers...”

http://mashable.com/2009/04/27/eric-schmidt-barack-obama/

[Psycho_Bunny]

Google's founders have admitted to stealing new computers off a loading dock in college because they wanted to run tests on their new software and didn't 'feel' like they should have to wait like everyone else.

All of their corporate sh!ttyness stems from their beginnings: they will always suck.

[GeronL]

mistakenly?? No. CBNC aired their “Google rules the world” show last night and they said they save every bit of data they collect from every single search query.

I doubt there was any mistake.

[mmanager]

666 - Shit happens /s

[Minus_The_Bear]

Stop Google from collecting your data.

Google Sharing addon

Optimize Google addon

[stephenjohnbanker]

The CEO of Google wears Obama knee pads.

[Paige]

Plausible Deniability? Sorry, I couldn’t resist. :)

[Grampa Dave]

Google at your own risk.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Google's entire business is to collect information and then sell it. They do this with Gmail, which is why I don't have a Gmail account. I use Ixquick, because they do not collect your information, IP address etc.

[STARWISE]

Google. Why is Al Gore on your board of directors?

~~~~

Hmmm

[STARWISE]

http://thesearchenginelist.com/

and another FReeper suggested

http://www.clusty.com

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks STARWISE.

Google Inc. said an internal investigation has discovered that the roving vans the company uses to create its online mapping services were mistakenly collecting data about websites people were visiting over wireless networks.

In a related story, Google's heroes the Obama family reported that they had no idea Jeremiah Wright was a foul-mouthed America-hating antisemite.

[STARWISE]

Thank you.

[CodeToad]

“accidentally collected”

Liars.

[STARWISE]

Germany lashes out at Google for privacy breach

Germany lashes out at Google after company admits privacy breach with Wi-Fi data

~~~~

Germany’s consumer protection minister strongly criticized Google for a widespread privacy breach and insisted Saturday the U.S. Internet giant must cooperate better with data protection authorities.

Google Inc. issued an apology Friday, acknowledging it has been vacuuming up fragments of people’s online activities broadcast over public Wi-Fi networks for the past four years while expanding a mapping feature called “Street View.”

Minister Ilse Aigner said the “alarming incident” showed that Google still lacks an understanding of the need for privacy.

“According to the information available to us so far, Google has for years penetrated private networks, apparently illegally,” her office said in a statement Saturday.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Germany-lashes-out-at-Google-apf-1252720685.html?x=0&.v=1