Reuters: Google's Seoul office raided in "Street View" data collection probe

By on Aug 10, 2010 at 10:35 AM
General August 10, 2010

Reuters is reporting that search giant Google had an office in Seoul, South Korea raided by police earlier today. The Korean National Police Agency said they “have been investigating Google Korea LLC on suspicion of unauthorized collection and storage of data on unspecified Internet users from Wi-Fi networks.” Google has been collecting data in South Korea since late last year in preparation for the launch of the Street View service. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission, as well as other European governments, are also looking into allegations that Google illegally collected and stored information from Wi-Fi networks while conducting its Street View surveys. Google has yet to comment on the South Korean raid.

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  • http://bisko.be Bisko

    Wasn’t Seoul in South Korea, why are they acting like North koreans?

    • El Oscuro Secreto

      You mean, “Isn’t” Seoul in South Korea?

      I don’t think South Korea’s capitol moved to another location. Correct me if I am wrong. :)

    • jacob

      why is it so like north korean to raid google?
      they must have enough reason to do so.
      and we know that google has admitted they illegally collected personal data..

    • Ernie

      You’re right. Google should be able to collect whatever information they want from whoever they want and no government should get involved. Google doesn’t do evil!!!!!

    • BK

      So because Apple took some part indirectly in the raiding of that Gizmodo Editor’s apartment to seize hardware…we are all…uhh…communists?

  • PAPINYC

    Give them back to the North !

  • Sliznut

    Just about any country with privacy concerns has the ability to raid a business if they feel some wrongdoing has went down.

  • ChocoTaco

    Google worries me at times. I love Gmail, I love Android, I love Google Voice, Maps, Earth, Sky…the list goes on. I use them all. Fantastic products. I also love that their services are free and they have an open approach. However, their constant data collection scares me, and the most terrifying part is how they appear as this benevolent company from their list of free, open, fantastic services. Apple, for example, is universally hated for their closed, locked down approach. We all KNOW they are an evil company, and I don’t fear them because I know what they are. Google scares me because they may be just as evil, but because their public persona is so benevolent, we welcome them with open arms. How can you hate someone that gives you the best for free? The most dangerous enemy is the one that infiltrates the ranks that you think is a friend.

    I hope my gut feeling about Google is wrong because I don’t intend on giving up their services anytime soon.

    • Ernie

      I find it humorous how you morons let apple dominate every aspect of your lives. First of all”universally hated”? Maybe in your universe, not in the rest of the world. And on what do you base you assertion that apple IS evil? Do you know something we don’t know. Apple does it’s business the way it sees fit and it seems that the guys that know about business a he’ll of a lot more than you or I happen to like how they operate. And your venerable google, by the way I too like their products, isn’t much different. They are on business to make a profit and a lot of it.

  • iphone >droid

    Google is just a CIA front to keep tabs on everyone. Look up or” Google” operation mockingbird…. our government has been watching and brainwashing us for decades.

    • Sliznut

      Make sure you pull that tin foil hat on nice and snug.

    • El Oscuro Secreto

      Talk about paranoid!

    • WalterSobchak

      Actually facebook was originally CIA funded. Its beyond their wildest dream how much information people will serve them up on a platter, but if they came looking for it, that would be intrusive.

  • Rae

    All that data collection is for a profile to be set up of individuals. The government is mad because Google has more info on citizens then they do. All in all, in the near future ALL information will be public, there wont be any privacy, because people will always give in, twitter, facebook, gmail. latitude, etc.

    • Sliznut

      It’s all part of their evil, twisted plot to find out what I ate for lunch on 12/7/2005. And Twitter is tracking how many diapers my kids went through over the past year. I am ascared.

      • tk-093

        What did you have for lunch that day?

      • Rae

        It’s actually common sense when google asks you if its okay to collect user data, you know how many people accept that? They wanna make it easier for you everytime you use their service. Im not saying they are evil, im just saying they have more on you then you know. Google your name for instance.

      • Sliznut

        I forgot. Ask the Goog.

  • MonkeyCheese

    This again

  • Franky j

    Have u guy ever used google picasa, it takes all faces from your pictures and ask u if u want to name the faces. That very creepy shit.

    • WalterSobchak

      You mean like Facebook? The thing everyone does and doesn’t think twice about?

  • jacob

    do no evil is total BS.. Google thinks our privacy is their main business and income source. which they want to abuse without our consent . i like their service
    however. they need to draw some line and feel obligation to protect its customers . not just use them

  • jawman

    Shouldn’t they be doing other things like playing Starcraft 2?

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