Google determined to have broken the law...

TarJak · 07-10-10, 03:31 AM

but nothing will really be done about it: http://www.news.com.au/technology/go...-1225889886185

onelifecrisis · 07-10-10, 05:43 AM

It sounds like they only collected data from unsecured networks. That's almost like telling someone off for listening in on conversations that are spoken across neighbourhoods using loudspeakers, or for reading PMs written on 12ft high ad boards. I should think that if the people on those networks really cared about privacy then they'd turn on the security?

Edit:
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for privacy, and the legal protection of it. But it's not like they tapped phones or hacked email accounts. An unsecured Wi-Fi network is like a radio station broadcasting information. At some point you have to draw a line and say "if people see/hear this, it's not their fault".

Moeceefus · 07-10-10, 06:30 AM

Probably just more hot air in Australia's quest against the internet.

Capt. Morgan · 07-10-10, 06:58 AM

Bulls-eye! (IMnot soHO)

TarJak · 07-10-10, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onelifecrisis

It sounds like they only collected data from unsecured networks. That's almost like telling someone off for listening in on conversations that are spoken across neighbourhoods using loudspeakers, or for reading PMs written on 12ft high ad boards. I should think that if the people on those networks really cared about privacy then they'd turn on the security?

Edit:
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for privacy, and the legal protection of it. But it's not like they tapped phones or hacked email accounts. An unsecured Wi-Fi network is like a radio station broadcasting information. At some point you have to draw a line and say "if people see/hear this, it's not their fault".

I tend to agree with you and TBH the actual amount or sort of data able to be collected from home or business WiFi connections from a moving vehicle is likely to be negligible. My main concern is that it was not just Australia and IMHO it was not an "accident" that it happened. Buggered if I know what they were trying to achieve but given the breach of privacy it makes a mockery of the law.

Wonder what would happen if I accidently sat in a stationary location accidently collecting data from someone else's unsecured WiFi network? Would I get let off in the same way if I said sorry it was an accident?

TarJak · 07-10-10, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moeceefus

Probably just more hot air in Australia's quest against the internet.

The current government does not seem to understand what the internet is and is trying unsuccessfully of course to control it. Not yet as bad as China or Nth Korea but give it time.

onelifecrisis · 07-10-10, 08:44 AM

Yeah, it was no "accident".

Last time I was in the US I was on a bus going through a city, so I decided to get out my iPhone and check for any wireless networks that I might be able to connect to... and the first one that appeared on the list was a secured network with the name "keep driving ****er".

Moeceefus · 07-10-10, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onelifecrisis

Yeah, it was no "accident".

Last time I was in the US I was on a bus going through a city, so I decided to get out my iPhone and check for any wireless networks that I might be able to connect to... and the first one that appeared on the list was a secured network with the name "keep driving ****er".

lol thats a good one.

Jimbuna · 07-10-10, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

The current government does not seem to understand what the internet is and is trying unsuccessfully of course to control it. Not yet as bad as China or Nth Korea but give it time.

Yet one more reason to be tid of them at your next election

TarJak · 07-10-10, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Yet one more reason to be tid of them at your next election

Yes please.

Hope the Ranga gets a move on and calls it for August like the pundits have been saying the last week or so. Pity that she'll probably get back in as she is still in her honeymoon period with the electorate, although she's already caused a few screw ups and for some reason people can't see that she was part of the gang of four, making all the policy decisions when Kev was PM. More of the bloody same means more of the same.

07-10-10, 03:31 AM	#1
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Google determined to have broken the law... but nothing will really be done about it: http://www.news.com.au/technology/go...-1225889886185

07-10-10, 05:43 AM	#2
onelifecrisis Maverick Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,895 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 3	It sounds like they only collected data from unsecured networks. That's almost like telling someone off for listening in on conversations that are spoken across neighbourhoods using loudspeakers, or for reading PMs written on 12ft high ad boards. I should think that if the people on those networks really cared about privacy then they'd turn on the security? Edit: Don't get me wrong. I'm all for privacy, and the legal protection of it. But it's not like they tapped phones or hacked email accounts. An unsecured Wi-Fi network is like a radio station broadcasting information. At some point you have to draw a line and say "if people see/hear this, it's not their fault". Last edited by onelifecrisis; 07-10-10 at 06:02 AM.

07-10-10, 06:58 AM	#4
Capt. Morgan Commander Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Just east of the west coast. Posts: 463 Downloads: 423 Uploads: 0	Bulls-eye! (IMnot soHO) __________________ There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet. -- Admiral William Halsey Last edited by Capt. Morgan; 07-10-10 at 07:14 AM.

07-10-10, 06:30 AM	#3
Moeceefus 中国水兵 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York Posts: 278 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Probably just more hot air in Australia's quest against the internet.

07-10-10, 08:44 AM	#7
onelifecrisis Maverick Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,895 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 3	Yeah, it was no "accident". Last time I was in the US I was on a bus going through a city, so I decided to get out my iPhone and check for any wireless networks that I might be able to connect to... and the first one that appeared on the list was a secured network with the name "keep driving ****er".