[Wayne07]

They were collecting wifi network names (SSID) and their locations so that they could use that data to help user geolocate themselves more quickly. The other data came along for the ride. People should have encryption enabled on their networks anyway. What google did is more analogous to recording CB radio transmissions than wiretapping.

[DB]

They did it to provide mapping of open WiFi access points which many are public on purpose. For example a coffee shop or fast food restaurant.

The bottom line is, if people don’t secure their networks while using the public airwaves they should have no expectation of privacy. I think calling it an illegal tap is seriously bad law.

[867V309]

They were collecting wifi network names (SSID) and their locations so that they could use that data to help user geolocate themselves more quickly.

This is not a grammatical statement and sounds like obammy-speak.

[TalonDJ]

What google did is more analogous to recording CB radio transmissions than wiretapping.

Not so. CB transmissions are intended for the receipt of others (and even then recording them might not be legal). Wi-Fi is not intended for people outside your property to use. This is more akin to going into someone's house and taking pictures of their mail just because the door was unlocked.