ICO visited Google to check Street View Wi-Fi data

Google is still under investigation over the Street View data collection incident

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has revealed to V3.co.uk that it visited Google's offices earlier this month to sample the Wi-Fi data collected by the search firm's Street View cars.

After its visit on 15 July, the data watchdog was able to confirm that the data did not include any "meaningful personal details that could be linked to an identifiable person".

"The ICO has visited Google's premises to assess samples of the 'payload' data it inadvertently collected," a spokesperson said.

"While Google considered it unlikely it had collected anything other than fragments of content, we wanted to make our own judgement as to the likelihood that significant personal data had been retained and, if so, the extent of any intrusion."

Google admitted in May that it " accidentally" collected data transmissions on private Wi-Fi networks through software code contained in its Street View cars.

However, the ICO admitted that it had seen only samples of records collected in the UK, and that other data protection authorities may find samples that could make individuals identifiable.

"On the basis of the samples we saw we are satisfied so far that it is unlikely that Google will have captured significant amounts of personal data," the ICO spokesperson added.

"There is also no evidence as yet that the data captured by Google has caused or could cause any individual detriment. Nevertheless it was wrong to collect the information."

The ICO will pass on its findings to privacy groups that had criticised the watchdog's stance on the issue.

"We will be alerting Privacy International and others who have complained to us of our position. The Information Commissioner is taking a responsible and proportionate approach to this case," the organisation said.

A coalition of 38 US states threatened Google with legal action last week if it fails to answer remaining questions on the issue. The Metropolitan Police is also investigating the incident.