Crying over a "privacy" violation that was their own fault

[Eri]

Google's street car that drives around making the maps etc has occasionally and accidentally acquired information from people's un-secured networks over wifi. Even though nothing major was leaked or anything people are still crying to fine Google over this incident.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11797907

What the hell? You're the one who didn't secure the network and you're trying to blame Google? They obviously didn't set the car to gather that data, and it only happened because you were too lazy to secure something you deem 'important'. "Privacy breach" my ass.

I guess I ranted a bit, but what are your thoughts?

 

[Merkavar]

but why is google street view searching and recording peoples wifi info?

 

[mikemart]

...wait... google actually has a street car that makes the maps....

 

[Eri]

...wait... google actually has a street car that makes the maps....

Street view maps and stuff. It's not really relevant to what I was saying though.

 

[Double A]

Well, you know humans. We're awfully inconsistent, and it doesn't matter unless it affects us directly.

 

[Lilani]

but why is google street view searching and recording peoples wifi info?

That's what I'm thinking, too, and I think that is the main argument here. The only thing the Google Streetview car should be doing is taking pictures. Why on earth does it even have the capability to both acquire AND store this information?

I can see what the OP is talking about, but is stealing any more or less wrong just because the person left their front door unlocked? I mean sure, leaving the door unlocked wasn't a smart thing to do, but that doesn't make it right to walk on in and steal their flat screen TV.

 

[Eri]

but why is google street view searching and recording peoples wifi info?

That's what I'm thinking, too, and I think that is the main argument here. The only thing the Google Streetview car should be doing is taking pictures. Why on earth does it even have the capability to both acquire AND store this information?

I can see what the OP is talking about, but is stealing any more or less wrong just because the person left their front door unlocked? I mean sure, leaving the door unlocked wasn't a smart thing to do, but that doesn't make it right to walk on in and steal their flat screen TV.

It does, however, take a conscious decision to steal said TV or data with door left open, this was not a conscious decision and no malice was behind it.

 

[Lilani]

It does, however, take a conscious decision to steal said TV or data with door left open, this was not a conscious decision and no malice was behind it.

No, there was no malice behind Google's actions, however your argument was that Google is less in the wrong because the people failed to secure their information properly. Just because you don't tie something down or surround it by firewalls doesn't mean it's not any less yours.

Personal electronic information can be extremely sensitive these days, and so the theft of it (whether maliciously or not) must be taken very seriously. Just because I left my Mercedes Benz unlocked and left the keys in the ignition doesn't mean that Mercedes Benz is any less mine. If someone were to hop into that Mercedes and take off "mistaking" it for their car, they could still be tried for theft, and there's still a chance they could lose. Even if they return it willingly, if the owner wants to press charges they would be taken to court. And depending on the evidence and how the accidental thief handled the situation, the owner might just win.

 

[fgdfgdgd]

but why is google street view searching and recording peoples wifi info?

Unrealistic answer: Because they're evil.

Realistic answer: It'd be for statistics i'd imagine, something like % of wifi coverage world wide i'd assume.

 

[thenoblitt]

i dont personally secure my wifi because 1. my wireless routers are garbage and 2. my modem router lets me see everyone who has logged onto it so i can just block people who i dont know, now does this make me an idiot who deserves to have personal information stolen by google of course it doesn't