FCC Proposes $25,000 Fine on Google (maps collecting data from unencrypted Wi Fi)

[alp227]

Source: Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission proposed a $25,000 fine on Google Inc., accusing the search giant of deliberately obstructing an investigation into whether the company violated federal rules when its street-mapping service collected and stored data from unencrypted Wi-Fi networks in 2010.

The agency proposed the fine late Friday night as it faced a deadline for taking action on the "Wi-Spy" case. Google representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the proposed fine.

The FCC's action is based on what it said was Google's reluctance to cooperate with the investigation. In a notice released Saturday, the agency said that for several months, "Google deliberately impeded and delayed" the agency's investigation into the data collection. A Google engineer who developed the Street View code used to collect the data declined to provide testimony to the agency and invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

The agency did not fine Google for actually violating the federal communications law designed to prevent electronic eavesdropping. There is no precedent for applying the FCC law to unprotected Wi-Fi networks, and the agency concluded there was not enough evidence to conclude Google had violated those rules.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304356604577344171454221422.html

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Google title for full article; the story is a WSJ exclusive for now.

[cloudbase]

1. That's a pretty hefty fine,

no doubt sufficient in magnitude to have a real deterrent effect on Google.

[bluedigger]

3. They don't want to break them.

They are running on a very thin margin as it is, you know.

[Cal Carpenter]

5. And they are too big to fail n/t

[GeorgeGist]

13. forget something?

[LiberalFighter]

2. I'm wondering why Google would have access to wi-fi when obtaining street level views?

Are they transmitting the data thru unprotected wi-fi networks back to Google?

[DCKit]

9. I think they were just mapping the unsecured wi-fi networks.

It's a bullshit charge. Is it my fault 23 other networks pop up when I'm looking at possible connections?

[lib2DaBone]

4. FCC.. give it a rest.....

If the FCC suddenly wants to start doing their job.. they should monitor Clear Channel Communications and stop their monopoly on local news and information.

The American Taxpayers are not allowed access to local News, information or programming.. unless right-wing-fascist Clear Channel says it is "OK".

How much more clear can the situation be to Americans?

[jenwilson]

6. lots of people want to keep networks open

and of course the FCC doesn't like that one bit.

[joshcryer]

7. True that.

[kentauros]

8. Why is it that the US government's

policy or ability to levy fines always appears to be at least one hundred years out of date?

On the rare occasion when I see them fining a corporation in the low millions, it always gets reduced. Hell even small fines like this ultimately get reduced, and often to zero. What's the point in levying them at all?

[Odin2005]

11. Because it gives us peons the illusion of regulation.

[Odin2005]

10. $25,000??? What a fucking joke.

[limpyhobbler]

12. I think the real question is Why were they scanning and logging open networks in the first place?

Were they planning to put the info on Google maps?

That would be like making a map of people who left their doors unlocked. Bad idea.