Google to Settle in Street View Case

Equipped with antennas and open-source software, the Street View vehicles collected network identification information as well as data frames and payload data being transmitted over unsecured business and personal wireless networks as the cars were driving by.

“We work hard to get privacy right at Google. But in this case we didn’t, which is why we quickly tightened up our systems to address the issue,” a company spokesman said in an emailed statement. “The project leaders never wanted this data, and didn’t use it or even look at it. We’re pleased to have worked with Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and the other state attorneys general to reach this agreement.”

Connecticut led the eight-state executive committee that worked for two years to investigate the matter, and its share of the settlement is $520,823.