FCC to fine Google $25K for obstructing Street View probe

The FCC has proposed a $25,000 fine to be levied on Google for allegedly obstructing an investigation into the “Wi-spy” controversy that arose when its Street View cars accessed in-range Wi-Fi networks. 

From 2007 to 2010, Google’s Street View cars collected data from unprotected Wi-Fi networks they accessed as they drove through neighborhoods, collecting images for the Street View project. The data included passwords and other personal information.

{mosads}The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau proposed the fine as punishment for Google’s actions, which the commission said “deliberately impeded and delayed” the investigation into the matter.

The commission said Google’s level of cooperation slow-walked the investigators whenever possible by providing the commission with a bare minimum of information in response to requests. 

When questioned, one engineer from the Street View project invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and so did not testify. 

The fine is not a consequence of any violation of federal communications law, the FCC said, and indicated that rules against electronic eavesdropping would be difficult to enforce because the data being collected was unprotected. 

Google said the data collection was inadvertent and that nothing the cars intercepted was ever used. 

“We worked in good faith to answer the FCC’s questions throughout the inquiry, and we are pleased that they have concluded that we complied with the law,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.