South Korean police have raided Google Korea's offices investigating if Street View had illegally collected personal data via Wi-Fi.
The fallout from Google Street View project continues, as South Korean police yesterday raided Google Korea offices investigating whether the company had illegally collected and stored personal information via Wi-Fi networks. According to Korean media, nearly 20 KNPA agents raided the offices, seizing hard drives and documents related to Street View.
Google has admitted that its Street View vehicles had been collecting information transmitted over unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, characterizing the actions as a “mistake.” Some researchers have found that this information can include potentially-sensitive information like email messages, addresses, passwords and account numbers. Google says it has stopped collecting Wi-Fi data as part of its Street View project; however, several countries continue to investigate the company to determine of Google broke privacy, wiretapping, or data protection laws. Most of the investigations are ongoing, and several countries have placed restrictions on Street View. The United Kingdom, however, recently ruled that Google did not collect “significant” personal information.
Korean authorities say they plan to summon Google officials for statements and testimony once the seized data has been analyzed.
Google has pledged it will cooperate the the investigation.
The Korean office raid comes just as Google has announced (German) it will introduce Street View in 20 of Germany’s largest cities later this year. One unique aspect of Street View in Germany: starting next week, renters and building owners will be able to have their buildings blotted out before the Street View images go public. Google already blocks out items like faces and license plates in Street View
