Index on Censorship » Google street view

UK: Google breached data privacy laws

William Clowes — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:53:05 +0000

The Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, has said that Google committed a “significant breach” of the Data Protection Act when it collected personal data in the development of its Street View product. The Internet giant gathered information that included full emails and passwords. Graham refused to impose a financial penalty on the company, but said that Google must sign an undertaking to ensure such breaches do not happen again. In July, the Information Commissioner’s Office had ruled that no data breach had occurred. The culture minister, Ed Vaizey, also said last week that the Metropolitan Police had dropped its investigation into the breaches.

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UK: New Google Street View privacy pressure

William Clowes — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:45:32 +0000

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Britain’s privacy watchdog, has reopened its investigation into Google Street View after the company admitted it copied personal data. Google is facing similar pressures from privacy watchdogs in other countries, including Spain, Germany, and Canada. In May, the ICO had investigated revelations that Google had gathered unprotected information but it concluded that no “significant” personal details had been collected. The renewed scrutiny stems from Google’s admission, following analysis by other privacy bodies, that they had harvested more information than previously thought.

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Canada: Google Street View violates privacy laws

Index on Censorship — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:34:18 +0000

Google has been found in violation of Canadian privacy law. On Tuesday the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Jennifer Stoddart, stated in a news release on the Commissioner’s website that Google’s Street View mapping cars had unintentionally gathered personal information about Canadian citizens. This collection of citizens information was a “serious violation of Canadians’ privacy rights,” said Stoddart.

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Spain sues Google over Street View

William Clowes — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:28:44 +0000

The Spanish Agency for Data Protection (AEPD) has filed a lawsuit against Google. Following an investigation launched in May, the Street View service has been charged with violating the country’s data protection laws. In August, a judge decided to investigate a similar complaint made by another association (APEDANICA). AEPD says that, if found guilty, Google could be hit with fines of between 84,000 and 840,000 dollars for each offence. Street View has proved controversial in a number of countries, including Germany, Switzerland and the UK.

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Germany: New law to stop employers checking Facebook

Intern — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:50:10 +0000

A proposed data privacy law could prevent companies from checking potential employees’ Facebook profiles. Employers will be allowed to search applicants on Google, but the use of social networking sites in the selection process will be banned. The new legislation will also require companies to notify employees about any monitoring of telephone calls or emails. The German cabinet is set to approve the law on 25 August.

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Greece bans Street View expansion

Index on Censorship — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:49 +0000

Greece’s data protection agency has banned Google from expanding its Street View service in the country, pending “additional information” from the firm. Read more here

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Information Commissioner: Google Street View should not be stopped

Index on Censorship — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:23:30 +0000

The UK’s Information Commissioner has said there will be no move to censor Google Street View, despite admitting it carries a small risk of privacy invasion. Read more here

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