Rhode Island Joins Google Street View Settlement

Rhode Island has joined 37 other states and the District of Columbia in a $7 million settlement with Google over its collection of data from unsecured wireless networks nationwide. 

The settlement involved Google Street View, a component of Google Maps that lets users view actual photographs of streets. Users can even go inside restaurants and small businesses according to the  Google Street View website.

Rhode Island’s share of the settlement is $104,491, which will go into the state’s general fund.

Between 2008 and 2010 Google collected data from unsecured wireless networks nationwide while taking photographs for its Street View service. Google’s Street View cars were equipped with antennae and open-source software that the company acknowledged collected network identification information for use in future geolocation services.

 “Consumers should not have to worry that someone is going to access their personal web browsing information or email communications,” said Kilmartin. “This settlement recognizes the privacy rights of individuals whose information was collected without their permission and sends a clear message to companies that privacy practices need to be implemented and respected.”

Google has since disabled or removed the equipment and software used to collect the payload data from its Street View vehicles, and agreed not to collect any additional information without notice and consent.

The information collected was segregated and secured, and under the terms of the agreement, will be destroyed as soon as legally practicable.  Further, Google said data was not used and will not be used.

Other key elements of the agreement require Google to run an employee training program about privacy and confidentiality of user data and continue the program for at least 10 years. It must also conduct a public service advertising campaign to help educate consumers about steps they may take to better secure their personal information while using wireless networks.

In addition to Rhode Island, the following states participated in the settlement: Connecticut, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Texas, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.