New Jersey has joined 37 states and the District of Columbia in a $7 million settlement that resolves allegations that Google improperly collected private data from consumers for its Street View online map service.
New Jersey’s cut is roughly $147,000, which state Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said will be used to fund consumer protection initiatives.
The information collected was segregated and secured and will soon be destroyed, under terms of the settlement.
Other key elements of the agreement require that Google operate an employee training program about privacy and confidentiality of user data for at least 10 years.
It also must conduct a public service advertising campaign to help educate consumers about steps they may take to better secure their personal information while using wireless networks.
“This settlement is significant because it recognizes the privacy rights of individuals whose information was collected by Google without their permission,” Chiesa said.
He also said he hopes the deal “send[s] a message to the industry about the importance of respecting the privacy of consumers.”
Google collected data from unsecured wireless networks nationwide while taking photographs for its Street View service between 2008 and March 2010, Chiesa said. READ MORE....
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