Google Cleared of Spying Charges in New Zealand

Sep 2, 2010 by Akshay

Internet giant Google has been cleared of spying charges in New Zealand. Google was charged of gathering personal wireless internet data during its street view operation in New Zealand.Later New Zealand police said they have found no evidence that Google has committed any criminal offence.

Concerns were raised that Google had collected unencrypted Wi-Fi data while photographing streets with 3D cameras for its street view mapping service.

Google later admitted collecting public Wi-Fi data in more than 30 countries, though it did not disclose what kind of information had been collected. The company said it had locked-down the information while the matter was being investigated.

Detective Senior Sergeant John van den Heuvel, of New Zealand’s national cyber crime centre, said there was no evidence to suggest Google had committed a criminal offence. The matter was a timely reminder about Wi-Fi security, he said.