A majority of U.S. states have joined the fight by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal against Google, demanding answers about the accidental collection of data over unsecured WiFi networks while Street View cars snapped outdoor photos. (AG’s Statement)
In total, 38 states are part of a multistate investigation into Google’s collection of the data. The coalition, threatening legal action, is making some demands. They include:
- The names of the specific individuals responsible for the code that allowed Google to collect the data.
- Specific locations where data was collected.
- An explanation of how the software was included in the Google network and how the company could have been unaware that the data was being collected.
- Specifics about what sort of data the code was designed to collect - random bits of information or specific types of data files.
In a statement, Blumenthal said:
Google’s responses continue to generate more questions than they answer… Google must come completely clean, fully explaining how this invasion of personal privacy happened and why.
In a Wall Street Journal report, Google reiterated that the data collection was a mistake but also said that it did nothing illegal. It said it is working with authorities on their investigation. Other countries have launched similar investigations.
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