The controversy surrounding Google’s (GOOG) data collection practices took an unexpected turn Friday when the company admitted to British officials that it had neglected to delete thousands of emails and passwords that employees had collected from Wi-Fi hotspots while driving through various neighborhoods in Google Street View cars. As the Guardian notes, Google was ordered to delete all collected personal data back in December 2010 and failing to comply could allow the British Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to fine the company as much as £500,000 (approximately $786,000). Google is claiming that “human error” was responsible for its failed compliance and said that it was working to correct the situation.
Related stories