Google faces prosecution in France for 'accidentally' smashing privacy laws with Street View

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Google is facing prosecution in France after 'accidentally' scooping up the personal information of internet users while compiling its Street View service.



The French data protection agency CNIL asked Google to hand over copies of the data earlier this month.



It is now investigating the data to see whether the U.S. internet giant broke any privacy laws after sending its vans around France to build up its Street View maps.



Snooping? A Google street-mapping car snaps up lots of private information as well as simple street views

This included Google recording information on wifi hotspots in order to list local services on the maps.



But in doing so the vans also captured the emails, browsing histories and sensitive information such as the bank details and medical records of residents who were logged in to unsecured, or 'open', wifi networks at the time.



Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. are already considering filing civil suits over Google's capture of similar personal details, which the firm had claimed was accidental.

It is not yet known how many internet users in France are affected.



A CNIL spokesman said: 'The recording of such data could put Google in possession of sites visited, exchanged messages and even passwords.'



Intrusion? Google has already faced a barrage of criticism that Street View invades privacy

The agency said that its initial examination of the data revealed that at least some appears to be 'covered by banking and medical privacy rules'.



It also spotted passwords and email correspondence, it said. Under its remit, CNIL is able to fine companies, warn them, or pass on a case to a state prosecutor to initiate possible criminal charges.



The agency said that it should know by December whether it has a case against Google.



A spokesman for Google said it was working closely with French authorities, as with the authorities of other countries where there had been complaints.

He added: 'Our ultimate objective is to delete the data consistent with our legal obligations.'



In Britain last year Google was forced to remove hundreds of photographs from Street View after users complained about invasion of privacy.



