Google refuses Connecticut attorney general’s request for data
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Google Inc. has declined to meet a deadline set by Connecticut’s top prosecutor to provide detailed records on any information it may have collected from unsecured wireless networks in his state while taking photographs for its Street View feature.
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut’s attorney general and U.S. senator-elect, sent a letter May 27 to the Internet giant demanding detailed records on what information was captured by the roving camera-equipped vehicles that take photos for the mapping service and how that information was used.
Last week Blumenthal issued a civil investigative demand for data collected by Google’s vehicles. Friday was the deadline to comply with the demand.
‘I am disappointed by Google’s failure to comply with my information demands,’ Blumenthal said in a statement. ‘We will review any information we receive and consider whether additional enforcement steps — including possible legal action — are warranted.’
Google, which revealed the data collection in May, said in a statement that it was inadvertent.
“We did not want and have never used the payload data in any of our products and services,’ Google said. ‘We want to delete the data as soon as possible and will continue to work with the authorities to determine the best way forward, as well as to answer their further questions and concerns.’
The company did not directly address Blumenthal’s comments.
Other states’ attorneys general are considering similar actions. Missouri’s top prosecutor sent a similar letter to Google last week.
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-- W.J. Hennigan
