Google also agree to delete data including emails, pass words and web browsing history as part of the settlement.
According to a BBC report, the data was obtained from home wireless networks as Google’s Street View cars photographed neighbours for its map service between 2008 and 2010.
Privacy issues
In a statement, Google said: ‘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.’
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the legal settlement. He commented: ‘Consumers have a right to protect their vital personal and financial information from improper and unwanted use by corporations like Google. This settlement addresses privacy issues and protects the rights of people whose information was collected without their permission.’
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