Google Fined $142,000 for Collecting Private Data

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Google has been hit by a record fine by France’s National Commission for Information Freedom. Their misstep? Being found guilty of collecting private information while compiling Street View pictures. The Californian internet giant has been fined 100,000 euros (around $142,000) for accidentally intercepting private data being transmitted over unencrypted WiFi networks, including passwords, banking information and web browsing histories.

Google has already apologized for the breach – which has happened in over 30 countries, including the US. (The FTC opened an investigation about the issue, but closed it without bringing charges) Meanwhile, Google and promised to delete the data. It’s unknown whether they will seek to appeal the fine at this time.

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