So this is kind of interesting in light of the Firesheep thing. Google now admits that it collected far more information than previously disclosed from UNSECURED Wi-Fi networks while driving around taking pictures for Street View. Previously, they had said it was just bit and chunks of data, now they’re saying it was also full email addresses and passwords. They say they haven’t done anything with it, it was an accident, they want to get rid of it. But again, this was stuff that people were basically broadcasting to the world already. Google shouldn’t have collected or retained it but if you’re screaming, someone’s going to hear you, you know?
Meanwhile, the government of Italy will require Google to announce where the Street View cars will be taking pictures three days in advance. This, of course, provides an opportunity for any prankster in the world to set something up. Expect Italian Street View shots to be the envy of the world.
And if you don’t like Street View taking pictures of your house, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has a solution: move. One likes to believe he was kidding but given the crazy things he’s been saying lately, one just doesn’t know any more. Seriously, get this dude a PR person or something.
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