Google has been fined $190,000 on Monday for collecting data from open WiFi networks through its Street View cars in Germany, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Google's Street View service, which was collecting data from unencrypted WiFi networks without any offical approvals, was discovered in 2010 by German Data Protection Authority during an audit to verify the data collected by the Gogle team.
It was found that data collected by Google included emails and website addresses users were visiting. The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Johannes Caspar, said Google had collected information over open WiFi networks from 2008 till 2010, according to the report.
Casper noted that Google's negligent and unauthorized act of capturing and storing private information is by far "one of the most serious cases of violation of data protection regulations." Although Google may not have collected the data intentionally, he said, it continued the process for a long period of time which concludes that the "company internal control mechanisms failed seriously."
Google spokesperson said on Monday that the company took all measures to strictly address the issue after it learnt of it. The company stressed that the data collected over the years was absolutely unintentional.
"We cooperated fully with the Hamburg DPA throughout its investigation," the company said.
Google said it would involve a third party to correctly manage the data going forth so that such a mistake is not repeated in the future.
Google's fine was just below the limit of the maximum fine that could be attracted for negligent violations. However, Casper said the limit on fines for such a serious security breach is "totally inadequate"
"As long as violations of data protection laws are punishable by discount rates, the enforcement of data protection laws in a digital world with its high potential for abuse will be all but impossible," he said.
Casper said European regulators are in talks to decide if the maximum fines must be increased, according to the LA Times.
