London: Britain has launched an
investigation into whether Google invaded people`s privacy and
violated communication and privacy laws by `mistakenly`
gathering personal data over public wi-fi networks.
The Metropolitan Police has said it was probing into
complaints that the search engine picked up people`s online
activities through unprotected home and business networks
while photographing neighbourhoods for its "street view"
mapping feature.
"The matter is now under consideration.
It is yet to be determined what, if any, offences may
have allegedly occurred," a spokesman of Met Police said.
It is the latest in a string of controversies about
Google`s access to private data including e-mail addresses,
passwords, bank account information and web browsing
histories.
Last month, Google acknowledged it had mistakenly
collected data from public wi-fi networks in more than 30
countries.
Police in Australia have also launched their own
investigations into the matter.
PTI
