Google promises to stop Wi-Fi data collection

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Web firm makes commitment after privacy ruling in Canada

The Canadian privacy commissioner has released the preliminary findings of its investigation into the Wi-Fi scandal in which Google collected personal information while building up its Street View images.

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office deemed the incident not worthy of any in-depth investigation, but other countries have gone further.

Google has now promised to ensure that it never happens again, according to the Canadian report.

"Google still intends to offer location-based services, but does not intend to resume collection of Wi-Fi data through its Street View cars. Collection is discontinued and Google has no plans to resume it," said the report.

However, this is not the end of Google's location information collection and, although the company will not turn to third parties as a source, it will "rely on its users' handsets to collect information on the location of Wi-Fi networks that it needs for its location-based services database".

The Canadian privacy commissioner explained that modern smartphones had made this method possible, but added that Google had committed to ensuring that it respects personal privacy in the future.

"Although it has no tracking tool to keep records of a customer's location (and does not intend to create one), Google acknowledges that it does need to examine the potential privacy concerns of this method of collection," said the report.

"Google submits that it is striving to design privacy protections into all its products and services."

Google has always claimed that the data was collected in error, but acknowledges the mistake and is taking pains to make sure it is never repeated, according to the report.

The search firm has promised more adequate pre-launch testing, and said that data will only be collected with the individual's permission and used only for the stated purpose.

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