May 19, 2010
Google Sued for Scooping Up Wi-Fi Data
Three Oregon lawyers have filed what is believed to be the first class action against Google’s so-called data sniffing — the company’s now-ended practice of scooping up bits of private wireless data with its Street View vehicles. The complaint, filed this week in federal court in Oregon, alleges that the company violated Washington and Oregon privacy laws as well as the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act. The plaintiffs are seeking up to $10,000 per violation suffered by each class member plus other damages.