Spain Becomes the Latest Country to Investigate Google Street View Activity

It has been little more than a week since the reports of South Korean officials raiding Google's headquarters in Seoul were published. As part of an investigation into accusations identical to those Google found themselves charged with in South Korea, it is understood that a Google representative will appear before a Spanish judge in Madrid on the 4^thOctober 2010.

The lawsuit was filed by privacy watchdog Apedanica, an organisation whose purpose is the promotion of the rights of internet users. The company name itself is an acronym which stands for the Asociación para la Prevención y Estudios de Delitos, Abusos y Negligencias en Informática y Comunicaciones Avanzadas (Association for the Prevention and Studies of Crime, Abuse, and Negligence in Advanced Computing and Communications).

Whilst Google spokespeople reassure the public that they are “working with the authorities” and that their “ultimate objective is to delete the data consistent with our legal obligations”, the increasing concern over Google's continued collection of sensitive data will not be allayed. So far, Google has admitted to the collation of data from non-encrypted wi-fi networks in over 30 countries, as well as being faced with a US lawsuit backed by 38 states.

In what Google has described as a programming error, it is believed that a segment of code within the Street Cars production system has unwillingly enabled Google to access various pieces of information which are not password protected. This has been the general stance on the issue since the initial reports of Street View data harvesting in Germany earlier this year.

Google Street View was first introduced to Spain 3 years ago, and was proving to be a successful venture for the search engine company. However, due to the ongoing investigation into the activities of the Street View cars, the proposed expansion of the service has been postponed.

The judge's investigation is thought to be the most serious threat to Google so far in the Spanish Street View affair, despite earlier concerns voiced by local regulators. Artemi Rallo of the Spanish Data Protection Agency insisted that Google should offer the original hard drives which store the illicitly acquired wi-fi data.

On Tuesday the lawyer representing Apedanica, Valentin Playa, conveyed his belief that recognition of their mistake and subsequent excuses should not immunise Google from a “criminal condemnation”. However, it does seem highly unlikely that any Google official will be dealt a prison sentence for any part played in the information gathering. In a country where unauthorized collection of communications data can equate to a four year jail sentence, it's just as well.