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It seems that Google was responsible for indirectly stealing people’s Internet search history over unprotected wireless networks. They have since apologised and also admitted that they have egg on their face and that they failed badly one of their blogs.

Blame StreetView

Google became an accidental spy through their StreetView vans which they use to update to their Google Maps and also find public wi-fi networks. All this was uncovered when a German company requested the search engine giant to check whether they weren’t invading people’s privacy through the wi-fi data which the StreetView vans were collecting. And the findings were astounding and embarrassing for Google to say the least.

An apology

Alan Eustace, senior VP of engineering and research at Google, wrote a heartfelt regretful letter accepting that they had in fact indirectly, while unknowingly, saved payload data from unprotected wi-fi networks. Eustace also added that only small unusable bits of data or ‘fragments’ were found and they never used the data in any harmful manner or in any of the Internet giant’s innovative products.

Photo: Google

It seems that during Google’s three-year ‘theft spree’ from 2007 they collected all types of data from unprotected wi-fi networks like emails, search histories, online video histories and the like. The StreetView vans were however unable to collect encrypted information like personal files or financial data.

Google under the privacy spotlight

This latest discovery has put Google’s wi-fi data collection under even more scrutiny. The search giant has been under fire from numerous groups claiming that their wi-fi data collection practices invade peoples’ privacy. However, Google has been quick to defend themselves, arguing the data which the vans collect is used to improve to ‘location-based service’.

This latest revelation is no cause for great concern, but it’s good to see someone is keeping an eye out and challenging the potential ‘ruler’ of the Internet.

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A new bill may disallow public wi-fi in the UK. The piece of legislation, called the Digital Economy Bill, is geared at providing copyright holders the authority to control their online content. Establishments are required to take advisement from their ISPs to avoid copyright infringement.

The problem with public wi-fi

The issue that the DEB (Digital Economy Bill) has with public wi-fi is the fact that people download music and movies illegaly. Unfortunately the blame falls on Internet cafes or local pubs for copyright violation. With public wi-fi comes responsibility, and people tend to take advantage of something that’s cheap without considering the consequences.

The Digital Economy Bill

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The DEB can force Internet providers to reduce copyright infringement. The Secretary of State can change copyright legislation and intervene in domain name registration. The DEB can also regulate copyright licensing. Establishments that have been caught allowing infringements have two options. They can either take their case to court, or take the case to the independent body and request to be taken off the infringers list.

Who will be affected?

Many people in the UK rely on public wi-fi for work and checking email. Internet subscriptions tend to be expensive, so for some, going down to the Internet cafe is their only source of viewing online content. Libraries wouldn’t be badly affected as they have strict policies against infringements. Internet access is also mostly given through fixed terminals, making infringement difficult.

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To reduce copyright violations, an establishment that offers a wireless network would have to set up a monitoring system to see what people are doing, but this is seen as invasion of privacy. If the Bill is passed, many cafes will be put in a difficult position.

Establishments affected

Unfortunately the establishments offering wi-fi are seen as the bad guys, while doing a good service. If the Bill is passed, Internet cafes could turn into piracy havens, and the Bill could backfire, making things worse. It’s up to Internet users to use public wi-fi responsibly.