In our April blog entry, we talked about the recent disclosure that Google has been collecting MAD addresses and SSID information as part of its mapping and street view programs. Google violating FCC rules? Now it appears that Google has also collected communication data transmitted through unsecured wireless routers, possibly including emails and passwords. Google collecting data
47 USC 605 provides in substance that no person who intercepts a radio broadcast shall use it for its own benefit. FCC regulations define a radio as anything that broadcasts on radio frequencies, which wireless routers clearly do. Has Google used any of the intercepted data for any purpose? We don't know for sure, but Google originally denied collecting any information other than MAC addresses and SSIDs.
Every month we see fines assessed by the FCC for peeling paint on antennas or other technical violations of the rules. When are we going to read about an investigation by the FCC into the blatant interception, collection and use of private information by Google? Its time the FCC did something to protect the privacy of the citizens.
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