Privacy Morons Prosecute Google

[Solaris]

Google is "almost certain" to face prosecution for collecting data from unsecured wi-fi networks, according to Privacy International (PI).

The search giant has been under scrutiny for collecting wi-fi data as part of its StreetView project.

Google has released an independent audit of the rogue code, which it has claimed was included in the StreetView software by mistake.

But PI is convinced the audit proves "criminal intent".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10278068.stm

Sounds like a total non-story and non-issue to me. No-where does the article explain exactly what they collected? Sounds to me they just noted that some networks were unsecure, it's not like they tapped peoples histories or anything.

 

[Stormy]

Its so annoying how everyone wants to piss all over google all of a sudden. As soon as a good company starts making some cash they just get screwed over by everyone.

 

[15357]

Well, I for one will never believe in the goodwill of Google.

 

[Danimal]

iirc some CEO or whatever the **** from Google said in an interview they store the likes of what's searched, browsing history, e-mails from gmail, etc. and is obliged to hand them to authorities upon request.

/totally credible source of information

 

[Remus]

As soon as a good company starts making some cash they just get screwed over by everyone.

*cough* Microsoft *cough*

 

[15357]

iirc some CEO or whatever the **** from Google said in an interview they store the likes of what's searched, browsing history, e-mails from gmail, etc. and is obliged to hand them to authorities upon request.

/totally credible source of information

If Comrade Danimal says it, it must be true.

 

[No Limit]

Well this is kind of a big **** up on google's part. I am usually quick to defend them but you don't install a program that logs all unsecured networks you drive by "accidentally".

I also wouldn't make any judgements until we know what they actually collected. If they were logging people's browsing on those networks they could be totally screwed.

 

[staticprimer]

People should secure their damn networks.

 

[Calhoun]

People should secure their damn networks.

I agree with you for the most part. It could equate to deciding to walk through your home naked, leaving every curtain and window open. You haven't made an effort to maintain your privacy and can't be surprised when people occasionally glance into your home, catching you naked as they pass by it.

On the other hand, you could compare this act to entering an unlocked home without permission. If you're in there without the consent of the owner, it can be considered trespassing.

People have a reason to be angry with Google, but if their main concern is privacy and if the data is considered personal or confidential, they should be certain they are on a secure network and make an effort to insure their privacy. I don't believe that Google should be allowed to get away with what they've done, but I do believe that considering this to be a criminal act would be a mistake.

 

[Solaris]

"On the other hand, you could compare this act to entering an unlocked home without permission. If you're in there without the consent of the owner, it can be considered trespassing."

Come off it, no you couldn't. They kept a log of unsecured networks, it's not remotely like stepping into someone's house. The fact that these privacy groups won't/can't tell us in laymans terms exactly what google did without making stupid analogys like yours show there just looking for reasons to slag off google.

 

[VirusType2]

Not completely related, but:

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With this browser plugin you can permanently opt out of the DoubleClick cookie, which is an advertising cookie that Google uses.

http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/plugin/

Well this is kind of a big **** up on google's part. I am usually quick to defend them but you don't install a program that logs all unsecured networks you drive by "accidentally".

I also wouldn't make any judgements until we know what they actually collected. If they were logging people's browsing on those networks they could be totally screwed.

Yeah, I agree with you on all counts.

It would be kind of interesting to see how many people don't secure their wireless networks, but what's the point when we already know that most people don't.

 

[15357]

Come off it, no you couldn't. They kept a log of unsecured networks, it's not remotely like stepping into someone's house. The fact that these privacy groups won't/can't tell us in laymans terms exactly what google did without making stupid analogys like yours show there just looking for reasons to slag off google.

Since when did you love Big Business?

 

[No Limit]

It would be kind of interesting to see how many people don't secure their wireless networks, but what's the point when we already know that most people don't.

Kind of sucks these days, most routers now come secured by default when you first set them up. So it seems there are not as many unsecured networks as there used to be, atleast not here.

 

[Calhoun]

Come off it, no you couldn't.

You're right. I forgot to add the, "and taking stuff from them before you leave" part and the "without directly making your presence known to the people living there" part.

It may be because for some reason, the article left me with the impression that they were gathering the actual data sent over an unsecured network, and if that is the case then my "stupid analogy" was being generous.

 

[Krynn72]

Yeah, damn privacy morons, all worried about their privacy 'n shit.

 

[Solaris]

It may be because for some reason, the article left me with the impression that they were gathering the actual data sent over an unsecured network, and if that is the case then my "stupid analogy" was being generous.

Yeah exactly, it leaves that impression without saying it outright. That leads me to believe it's bullshit. If it was true that Google were intercepting data, they would say it outright and scream it from the high heavens. But it isn't, so they hint at it like lying cowards.

 

[Raziaar]

I would follow Google into the depths of hell I would! That is, until they start becoming shitty.

 

[VirusType2]

Yeah exactly, it leaves that impression without saying it outright. That leads me to believe it's bullshit. If it was true that Google were intercepting data, they would say it outright and scream it from the high heavens. But it isn't, so they hint at it like lying cowards.

Yeah, good observation; I'm inclined to agree with you.

I hate this kind of shit.

www.MediaFail.com

 

[StardogChampion]

Its so annoying how everyone wants to piss all over google all of a sudden. As soon as a good company starts making some cash they just get screwed over by everyone.

Not really. Everything they've done recently has been useless (Buzz). They're not as good as they used to be.

 

[Solaris]

Not really. Everything they've done recently has been useless (Buzz). They're not as good as they used to be.

I agree, Buzz and Wave have been utterly terrible.