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UK Regulator Did Not Check Google Privacy Claims

Posted by samzenpus on from the taking-their-word-for-it dept.

judgecorp writes "When Google gathered personal Wi-Fi data through its Street View cars, the UK privacy watchdog, the ICO did not press charges, saying that Google had "contained" the data in "quarantined cages". It has now been revealed that the ICO never checked this assertion. It just took Google's word for it, and never visited Google to try and check on whether the data actually was contained. From TechWeekEurope's correspondence with the ICO it seems that the regulator had a team of three looking into the Google Wi-Fi data scandal. Seeing that it was impossible to check Google's claims in depth, the ICO decided to just take Google's word it had done what it claimed."

3 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. You get what you pay for. by auric_dude · · Score: 4, Informative

    The offical budget publication for 2011-2012 http://www.ico.org.uk/about_us/boards_committees_and_minutes/~/media/documents/library/Corporate/Detailed_specialist_guides/ico_budget_2011-12.ashx plus key facts http://www.ico.org.uk/ from offical site.

  2. Damn guys by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's downright Canadian.

  3. The ICO have a point... by tonywestonuk · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "Seeing that it was impossible to check Google's claims in depth, the ICO decided to just take Google's word it had done what it claimed."

    Well, yeh. It only take a memory stick full of WIFI data to be stuck in the back of a draw, or in someone's pocket. What's the ICO gonna do? Strip search all employees?

    Googles word for it, is the best they can do.