The San Francisco today reviewed a class action lawsuit filed against Google that accuses it of illegally intercepting telephone conversations during mapping operations.
This is the second time Google has been accused of stealing data from the cars it uses for mapping, which has already cost it $7 million in fines.
When Google decided to dismiss the case today, the Court of Appeals’ response probably didn’t please it. Their lawyers argued that Google were exempt from the Wiretap Act because data transmitted over a Wi-Fi network is considered “radio communications” and is “readily accessible to the public.”
The response to the California company from the three-judge panel was disappointing.
"Even though it is very common to connect to unlocked neighboring WI-FI networks, those who do it are not doing it right and are intercepting the connection.".
The US, France and Germany were among the countries that complained about the company's data collection practices between 2008 and 2010. Attorney Elizabeth Cabraser, responding to the lawsuit by Internet users accusing Google of violating privacy, said the case would be reopened for a review.
