Google Maps Recording Your MAC Address, too

Wow. Unbelievable. Unbelievable that Google would do this, and even more unbelievable that so little is done to stop them.

Google Street View logs WiFi networks, Mac addresses

Google’s roving Street View spycam may blur your face, but it’s got your number. The Street View service is under fire in Germany for scanning private WLAN networks, and recording users’ unique Mac (Media Access Control) addresses, as the car trundles along.

Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Data Protection Peter Schaar says he’s “horrified” by the discovery.

“I am appalled… I call upon Google to delete previously unlawfully collected personal data on the wireless network immediately and stop the rides for Street View,” according to German broadcaster ARD.

Spooks have long desired the ability to cross reference the Mac address of a user’s connection with their real identity and virtual identity, such as their Gmail or Facebook account.

If this was a clan of teenagers, they’d be arrested for voyeurism or something. But nooooo, Google can do it!

And this is all the more reason to ditch the wireless and get wired. You bet.

Google’s uniquely cavalier approach to privacy, and its potential ability to cross reference the information raises additional concerns. Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently said internet users shouldn’t worry about privacy unless they have something to hide.

Eric Schmidt is a schmuck. I don’t have to answer to that jerk. Who the heck does he think he is?! As if HE can monitor anyone he wants, and scold us for chafing against Google’s imposed “morality,” that we should be grateful or something?! Unbelievable.

This is scary. Not only are they hell bent on monitoring us, they believe that it’s their moral duty to monitor us.