Your Wi-Fi Networks Can Rest comfy, Promises Google [Google]

It boggles the mind that we even needed telling, but Google’s promised its Street View cars will now not be capturing Wi-Fi network details .

After several lawsuits and lots outraged citizens parading outside Google HQ with pitchforks, the Canadian privacy commissioner revealed in a report that Google’s ” collection is discontinued and Google has no plans to resume it.” Not that they were collecting the information deliberately-or using it for anything-but I suppose it’s reassuring news.

Google will however continue obtaining Wi-Fi details from Android phones, or a minimum of those Android phones owned by those who favor to share location information. It’s one of several first options asked by Google when a user starts up their Android for the first time, but few individuals are privy to what it actually means.

There’s no reason to panic, readers. Put down those pitchforks! Google just uses it for finehoning its mapping tech, with spokesperson Christine Chen telling CNET that ” Android provides users with notice and control over collection of location, sharing of location and use of location to assist provide an easier mobile experience…We don’t share individual location collected from user devices with any applications or services.” [ CNET ]

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This post is tagged: canadian privacy commissioner, christine chen, mobile experience, network details, spokesperson, street view, view cars