FCC Now Investigating Google Over WiFi Data Collection

Although the FTC ended its investigation into Google’s collection of personal data via unsecured WiFi networks, Google’s not necessarily in the clear with the Obama administration.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the FCC is looking into whether Google broke the law when its Street View cars collected personal data between 2007 and May, 2010. An FCC spokesperson confirmed to the Journal that it opened an investigation earlier this year.

As we reported over the weekend, members of Congress may also call Google to testify in 2011 about the matter. Numerous foreign governments are still investigating the data collection, and the Connecticut Attorney General recently announced — the day after the FTC said its investigation was over — that its coalition of 38 states will continue to “work to confirm the facts about how this happened and how consumers will be protected going forward.”

The WSJ says that intentional violations of federal communications law could lead to fines up to $50,000 for each violation. Google has repeated on several occasions that the data collection was an accident.

About The Author

Matt McGee

Matt McGee joined Third Door Media as a writer/reporter/editor in September 2008. He served as Editor-In-Chief from January 2013 until his departure in July 2017. He can be found on Twitter at @MattMcGee.